September 1, 2011

State Variation in Inpatient Hospitalizations for Mental Health & Substance Abuse Conditions, 2002- 2008

The statistical brief released by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality presents descriptive data from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP). In 2008, mental health (MH) or substance abuse (SA) disorders accounted for 4.5% of hospitalizations in the U.S. These stays accumulated to a cost of $9.7 billion. Medicaid covered 28% of MH stays and 26% of SA stays and uninsured costs accounted for 9% of MH stays and 21% for SA stays. For non-MHSA stays, Medicare (38%) and private insurance(36%) most often paid the hospital costs.