NIH-funded research NIH-funded research

Improving care transitions for Medicaid patients with serious mental health issues

Official title: An equity-focused intervention to improve care transitions for Medicaid insured individuals with co-occurring serious mental health

Funded at University of Pennsylvania · NIH-10928231 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking to improve the support and care for people with serious mental health issues, like depression and bipolar disorder, after they leave the hospital, by using a program called THRIVE that helps connect them with the right resources and care.

More Mental Health research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Pennsylvania
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Philadelphia, United States)
Project startSeptember 30, 2023
Project endSeptember 29, 2026
Funding year2024
Award (this year)$500,000
NIH project number5R18HS029815-02
Project IDNIH-10928231 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are Medicaid-insured individuals who have co-occurring serious mental illnesses and are transitioning from hospital care.

Less likely to help

Patients who are not insured by Medicaid or do not have serious mental health conditions may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research aims to enhance the transition of care for individuals insured by Medicaid who have serious mental illnesses such as depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder. It focuses on adapting an existing intervention called THRIVE, which coordinates care and addresses both clinical and social needs after hospital discharge. The study will implement this intervention at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania Cedar Campus, utilizing a randomized controlled trial to evaluate its effectiveness for patients with and without serious mental illness. By improving communication and support during transitions, the research seeks to reduce disparities in post-hospitalization outcomes for these vulnerable populations.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved health outcomes and reduced disparities for Medicaid-insured individuals with serious mental health conditions during their transition from hospital to home.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that the THRIVE intervention can significantly improve post-discharge outcomes, indicating potential for success in this adapted approach.

Where this research is happening

  • University of Pennsylvania
    Philadelphia, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Brooks Carthon, Jacqueline Margo — University of Pennsylvania
  • Study coordinator: Brooks Carthon, Jacqueline Margo

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.