The importance of follow-up care after an emergency department visit

This is part of an ongoing series of articles focusing on the tools and resources available to help FEP members manage their health.

Follow-up care after an emergency department visit for behavioral health conditions has been shown to improve mental health and reduce substance use, according to the National Committee for Quality Assurance.

To support effective follow-up care after an emergency department visit, New Directions has developed two guides on the following HEDIS^® measures: Follow-Up After Emergency Department Visit for Mental Illness (FUM)** and Follow-Up After Emergency Department Visit for Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse or Dependence (FUA).** These guides provide tips on how to help patients make and keep follow-up appointments.

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Federal Employee Program^® offers members additional resources to help with follow-up appointments. The table below contains contact information for FEP members for help in managing their condition at home.

New Directions is an independent company that contracts with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan to perform mental health and substance use disorder case management services for Service Benefit Plan members.

HEDIS^®, which stands for Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information, is a registered trademark of the National Committee for Quality Assurance, or NCQA.

None of the information included in this article is meant to imply or intended to be considered that it’s professional medical advice for diagnosis and/or treatment.

**Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan doesn’t own or control this website.