Measure Source

National Committee for Quality Assurance, Health Plan Employer Data Information Set (HEDIS) measure.

Table

1.74 Adults diagnosed with a new episode of depression who had optimal practitioner contacts for medication management during the acute treatment phase, United States, 2001 and 2003.

Data Source

HEDIS data from the National Committee for Quality Assurance.

Denominator

U.S. enrollees of Medicaid, Medicare or commercial health plans, age 18 and over, with a pharmacy benefit, diagnosed with a new episode of major depression (ICD-9 codes 296.2, 296.3, 298.0, 300.4, 309.1, 311).

Numerator

Subset of denominator who had optimal practitioner contact: at least three follow-up office visits with a primary care or mental health provider in the 12-week acute treatment phase after a diagnosis of depression and prescription of antidepressant medication.

Comments

A new episode is defined as no prior diagnosis of depression of any magnitude (ICD-9 codes 296.2-296.9, 298.0, 300.4, 309.0, 309.1, 309.28, 311) within 120 days of the first episode occurring during the study year.

Refer to HEDIS technical specifications for a more thorough discussion of measure requirements.