THE FORMAL MENTAL-HEALTH-CARE BURDEN AMONG RECENTLY DEINSTITUTIONALIZED PATIENTS

This article examines the extent to which the costs of formal health c are are shifted from third-party payers to the patient and his or her family, especially during the transition to the community after discha rge from a state hospital. Findings indicate that patients residing in the community are as likely to receive some care as their counterpart s in institutions, but are at higher risk for uncovered care. Uncovere d care is more likely to manifest as an unmet need for patients who ha ve been recently discharged, especially for racial minorities, and as an out-of-pocket expense for patients who are established in the commu nity.