Patterns of health care utilization among vulnerable populations in Central Texas using data from a regional health information exchange.

Purpose: Describe patterns of health care utilization among vulnerable subgroups of an underserved population and identify populations that could benefit from interventions to reduce health care costs and improve quality of care.

Methods: Health Information Exchange data focused on underserved patients was used to estimate the risk of an emergency department (ED) or inpatient (IP) visit among vulnerable patients.

Results: Approximately 20.