Suicidal Adolescents in Managed Care (IN: Treatment of Suicidal Patients in Managed Care, ed. by J M Ellison)

In this discussion of adolescent suicide, the author notes concern that brief inpatient stays create intense pressures for treatment staff to complete an evaluation, including family assessment & involvement in treatment planning. He observes that when admissions are too short, distressing, & costly, readmissions may follow. The value of multiple levels of care is stressed. He also notes the disruption to the care process that can occur when a family’s insurance changes & a child’s therapist is not on the new carrier’s provider panel. (35 refs)