Alliance for Pandemic Preparedness

October 23, 2020

Disparities in Outpatient Visits for Mental Health and/or Substance Use Disorders during the COVID Surge and Partial Reopening in Massachusetts

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  • Following a sharp drop in outpatient visits for mental health and/or substance use disorders early in the COVID-19 period, there was and increase in these visits over the course of the surge period in Massachusetts, supported by telemedicine, which was used in more than 80% of visits. During the surge, mental health visit volume increased 12% while visits for substance use disorders remained 13% below pre-pandemic levels. During partial reopening, while mental health visits returned to 2020 pre-pandemic levels, substance use disorder visits declined 31%. Mental health and substance use disorder visits decreased among individuals who were Hispanic (−33%) and non-Hispanic Black (−25%), and among people who were enrolled in Medicaid (−19%) and Medicare (−21%). The authors conclude that the decrease in mental health and substance abuse visits after the surge to levels below the pre-pandemic period may reflect barriers to accessing care, with evidence of racial/ethnic disparities.

Yang et al. (Nov 2020). Disparities in Outpatient Visits for Mental Health and/or Substance Use Disorders during the COVID Surge and Partial Reopening in Massachusetts. General Hospital Psychiatry. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2020.09.004