Abstract

ObjectiveWe aim to examine the relationships between substance use disorders and preventable hospitalizations for Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions among adult Medicaid beneficiaries.MethodsCross-sectional analysis using de-identified Medicaid claims data in 2012 from 177,568 beneficiaries in Missouri was conducted. Logistic regression models were estimated for the associations of substance use disorder status with Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions, demographics, chronic physical and mental illnesses. Zero-inflated negative binomial regressions assessed substance use disorders, hospitalization for Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions, and length of hospital stay for Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions adjusting for co-morbid physical illnesses, mental illnesses and demographics.ResultsOver 12% of the sample had been diagnosed for substance use disorder. Beneficiaries with substance use disorder were more likely than Nonsubstance use disorder beneficiaries to have admissions for chronic conditions including short/long-term complications of diabetes, uncontrolled diabetes, hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease/asthma, but not for acute conditions. While substance use disorder beneficiaries were more likely than Nonsubstance use disorder beneficiaries to be hospitalized for any Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions; there were no statistical differences between the two groups in terms of length of hospital stays.ConclusionsSubstance use disorder is statistically associated with hospitalizations for most Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions but not with length of hospital stay for Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions, after adjusting for covariates. The significant associations between substance use disorder and Ambulatory Care Sensitive Condition admissions suggest unmet primary health care needs for substance use disorder beneficiaries and a need for integrated primary/behavioral healthcare.Highlights•We examine the relationship of substance use disorders with preventable admissions.•SUD was associated with COPD, hypertension, & serious/nonpsychotic mental disorders.•SUD was more likely than NonSUD to have admissions for chronic conditions.•SUD was more likely than NonSUD to have admissions for any ACSCs.•There were no differences between SUD and NonSUD in terms of length of hospital stay for ACSCs.