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Depression screening matters

Mental illness can be hard to identify. Especially among certain patient populations. Using depression screeners more often can help you provide your patients with the support they need.

Screening early helps improve outcomes

Screening early helps improve outcomes

Depression is one of the most common mental health conditions in the U.S., and is the leading cause of disability in those ages 15 and older. In primary care, 10-14% of patients are estimated to have major depressive disorder, though as many as 50% of those go undetected.*

 

Racial and ethnic minorities and other groups, including men, people over 75 years of age, LGBTQ+ individuals and uninsured patients often suffer from poor mental health outcomes.* This is due to multiple factors, including lack of access to quality mental health care services, cultural stigma surrounding mental health care, discrimination and overall lack of awareness about mental health. Screening early and often helps increase awareness, reduce stigma and improve outcomes.

Resources

There are several ways you can help your patients find the support they need.

Types of assessments available

 

There isn’t one solution to implement depression screeners. That’s why we’ve gathered publicly accessible, cultural relevant tools and training to help you support your patients with mental health screenings.

 

Patient Health Questionnaire (PQH) screeners

Offer clinicians concise, self-administered screening and diagnostic tools that have been field-tested in office practice.

 

 

Duke Anxiety Depression Scale (DUKE-AD)

Seven-item patient survey from the Duke Health Profile used to identify patients with anxiety and depression symptoms.

 

Duke Anxiety Depression Scale (PDF)

 

M3 Assessment

Three-minute checklist designed to measure mental well-being, looking for common symptoms of depression, bipolar, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorders.

 

M3 Assessment

Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D)

Twenty-question survey that asks how often patients have experienced symptoms related to depression over the past seven days.

 

Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (PDF)

 

PROMIS depression scale

Patient-reported Outcomes Measurement Information System. Measures health outcomes from the patient perspective. Covers patients ages 18 and older, pediatric self-reports ages 8 – 17, and parents representing their children ages 5 – 17.

 

PROMIS depression scale (PDF)

Geriatric depression scale (GDS)

Simple 30-item yes/no questionnaire that can help identify possible depression among elderly patients.

 

Geriatric depression scale

 

Edinburgh postnatal depression scale (EPDS)

Developed to assist professionals in detecting post-partum depression (PPD) in mothers.

 

Edinburgh postnatal depression scale (EPDS)

 

CPT codes for depression screeners

 

You can get reimbursed for using depression screeners. Use these codes to ensure timely payment for your claim.

 

Relevant screening

LOINC code

CPT code 96127

For conducting brief emotional and behavioral assessments performed with standardized instruments.

CPT code 96127

For administering screenings such as the Patient Health Questionnaire 9 item (PHQ-9). Can be used as part of initial screening or as a method of monitoring.

CPT code G0444

Annual depression screening for Medicare patients.

Relevant screening

CPT code 96127

For conducting brief emotional and behavioral assessments performed with standardized instruments.

LOINC code

Relevant screening

CPT code 96127

For administering screenings such as the Patient Health Questionnaire 9 item (PHQ-9). Can be used as part of initial screening or as a method of monitoring.

LOINC code

Relevant screening

CPT code G0444

Annual depression screening for Medicare patients.

LOINC code

Legal notices

Aetna is the brand name used for products and services provided by one or more of the Aetna group of companies, including Aetna Life Insurance Company and its affiliates (Aetna).

This material is for information only. Health information programs provide general health information and are not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment by a physician or other health care professional. Information is believed to be accurate as of the production date; however, it is subject to change.

Health benefits and health insurance plans contain exclusions and limitations.

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