Health Service Utilization by Adults Impacted by the Justice System at a Large Federally Qualified Health Care Clinic Network

This study examines health care service utilization of adults impacted by the justice system (n=3380) and general patient population (n=226,970) receiving care at one federally qualified health center (FQHC; n=62 service sites) in California between 2020-2022. A hybrid manual review of the electronic medical record was conducted. The top five departments used by adults impacted by the justice system, based on total number of encounters, were general medicine, case management, mental health services, specialty services, and substance use disorder services. Patients demonstrated vulnerabilities in education, employment, and housing and extensive use of clinical services. Adults impacted by the justice system can benefit from targeted and coordinated case management to support health care utilization. Findings may inform funding initiatives, staffing, and service delivery models to optimize care and support services for individuals who have experienced contact with the justice system.