Patterns and predictors of restrictive health care service use by youths with bipolar disorder

Patterns of behavioral health service utilization were examined among youth diagnosed with bipolar disorder (n = 832). Youth were categorized as high, moderate, and low restrictive service users (43, 7, and 50%, respectively). Factors associated with receiving care in highly restrictive settings included: numerous co-occurring diagnoses and being enrolled in managed care. Youth with regular outpatient visits were less likely to receive care in highly restrictive settings. This analysis provides a broad and dramatic picture of the intensity of services needed by most youth with bipolar. Having regular outpatient services shows promise with regard to reducing costly care in restrictive settings.