Compliance with mental health and other specialty care referrals among Medicare/Medicaid dual enrollees

Objectives: To examine and compare non-compliance with mental health and other specialty referrals among low-income elderly. Methods: A survey of 2,128 community-dwelling elderly assessed mental health and other specialty referral in the past year and compliance with these referrals. Non-compliant participants and those who had encountered difficulties in arranging referral appointments were asked about the barriers. Results: 16.7% with mental health referrals vs. 4.8% with other specialty referrals did not comply (p < .001). The main reason for non-compliance with mental health referrals was lack of perceived need. Discussion: Lack of perceived need for professional help is a major barrier to specialty mental health care.