This measure assesses the percentage of members 12 years of age and older who were screened for clinical depression using a standardized tool and, if screened positive, who received follow-up care:
- Depression Screening. The percentage of members who were screened for clinical depression using a standardized instrument.
- Follow-Up on Positive Screen. The percentage of members who received follow-up care within 30 days of a positive depression screen finding.
Why It Matters?
Depressive disorders are common mental disorders that occur in people of all ages. Major depressive disorder (MDD) is the second leading cause of disability worldwide, affecting an estimated 120 million people.1 The lifelong prevalence is estimated to range from 10%–15%.2 In the United States, the 12‐month prevalence of major depressive disorder (MDD) is 10.4%, with a lifetime prevalence of 20.6%.3
In adolescents, depression can also result in serious long-term morbidities such as generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder, or lead to engagement in risky behaviors such as substance use.4 Adolescent-onset depression increases the risk of attempted suicide five-fold in comparison with nondepressed adolescents.5 Most adolescents who commit suicide, the third leading cause of death among 15–24 year-olds, have a history of depression.5 The onset of depression prior to adulthood is often associated with greater prevalence and severity in adulthood.
Depression has a large effect on health care costs and on productivity. Adolescents with depression have higher medical expenditures, including those related to general and mental health care, than adolescents without depression.5 Regarding work functionality, minor levels of depression symptoms were associated with decreases in overall work production.5
A survey study found that major depressive disorder severity is significantly associated with increased treatment usage and costs, unemployment, disability and reduced work performance.6
Studies have found that patient outcomes improve when there is collaboration between a primary care provider, case manager and a mental health specialist to screen for depression, monitor symptoms, provide treatment and refer to specialty care as needed.7,8
*Adapted with financial support from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Historical Results – National Averages
Depression Screening and Follow-Up for Adolescents and Adults - Depression Screening (Total)
| Measurement Year | Commercial HMO | Commercial PPO | Medicaid HMO | Medicare HMO | Medicare PPO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 4.1 | 1.6 | 4.9 | 13.2 | 5.2 |
Depression Screening and Follow-Up for Adolescents and Adults - Follow-Up on Positive Screen (Total)
| Measurement Year | Commercial HMO | Commercial PPO | Medicaid HMO | Medicare HMO | Medicare PPO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 73.1 | 64.7 | 69 | 66.7 | 67.7 |
This State of Healthcare Quality Report classifies health plans differently than NCQA’s Quality Compass. HMO corresponds to All LOBs (excluding PPO and EPO) within Quality Compass. PPO corresponds to PPO and EPO within Quality Compass.
Figures do not account for changes in the underlying measure that could break trending. Contact Information Products via my.ncqa.org for analysis that accounts for trend breaks.
References
- Murray, C.J.L., T. Vos, R. Lozano, M. Naghavi, A.D. Flaxman, C. Michaud, M. Ezzati, et al. 2013. “Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) for 291 Diseases and Injuries in 21 Regions, 1990–2010: A Systematic Analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2010.” The Lancet 380(9859):2197–23.
- Lépine, J.P., M. Briley. 2011. “The Increasing Burden of Depression.” Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment 7(suppl 1):3–7.
- Kern, D.M., C.M. Canuso, E. Daly et al. 2023. “Suicide-Specific Mortality Among Patients With Treatment-Resistant Major Depressive Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder With Prior Suicidal Ideation or Suicide Attempts, or Major Depressive Disorder Alone. Brain Behav 13(8):e3171. Doi:10.1002/brb3.3171
- Korczak DJ, Westwell-Roper C, Sassi R. Diagnosis and Management of Depression in Adolescents. CMAJ 2023;195(21):E739-E746. doi:10.1503/cmaj.220966.
- Garber, J., V.R. Weersing, S.D. Hollon, G. Porta, G.N. Clarke, J.F. Dickerson, … & D.A. Brent. 2018. “Prevention of Depression in At-Risk Adolescents: Moderators of Long-Term Response.” Prevention Science 19, 6–15.
- Birnbaum, H. G., R.C. Kessler, D. Kelley, R. Ben‐Hamadi, V.N. Joish, P.E. Greenberg. 2010. “Employer Burden of Mild, Moderate, and Severe Major Depressive Disorder: Mental Health Services Utilization and Costs, and Work Performance.” Depression and Anxiety 27(1):78–89.
- Cuijpers, P., Stringaris, A., & Wolpert, M. (2020). “Treatment Outcomes for Depression: Challenges and Opportunities.” The Lancet Psychiatry 7(11), 925–7. .
- Thota, A.B., T.A. Sipe, G.J. Byard, C.S. Zometa, R.A. Hahn, L.R. McKnight-Eily, D.P. Chapman et al. 2012. “Collaborative Care to Improve the Management of Depressive Disorders: A Community Guide Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.” American Journal of Preventive Medicine 42(5):525–38.
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