There are many different types of depression medications on the market today. These prescription medications are used to treat depression on its own and to treat depression when it is a component of a more complicated disease, such as bipolar disorder or chronic pain conditions. With the right drug regimen, patients can experience better control of emotions, an improved emotional condition, and a generally healthier lifestyle. However, anti-depressants represent just one area of treatment. In too many cases, depression medication is used on its own to combat mental health concerns.
MBHO and HEDIS
The NCQA (National Committee for Quality Assurance) established the Managed Behavioral Healthcare Organization (MBHO) Accreditation in order to assist organizations in providing the best quality care. This accreditation includes:
- Care coordination, especially for those people who have special needs
- Complex case management
- Data exchange between health plans and behavioral healthcare organizations
When this accreditation and HEDIS (Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set) are used together, the providers of behavioral and mental health can make better decisions, have access to accurate information, and can plan the most effective of resources.
As a mental health care provider, you may be familiar with the MBHO Accreditation, but are you aware of how HEDIS findings can improve your service?
HEDIS Findings Are Used to Improve Management of Antidepressant Medication
Physicians and mental health providers face many challenges when it comes to treating depression with medication. These challenges include:
- Patients who skip follow-up visits
- Patient failure to refill prescriptions
- The presence of coexisting medical or mental illnesses
- Changing effectiveness of medication because of age and further development of illnesses
- Varying responses to medication due to other factors
Sources of HEDIS Findings
HEDIS findings for individuals on antidepressants are taken from two clinical measures:
Effective Acute Phase Treatment: This covers those individuals who have an Index Episode and continue to take their antidepressant medication for 84 continuous calendar days.
Effective Continuation Phase Treatment: This is for individuals with an Index Episode and continuing use of antidepressant medication for 180 calendar days.
HEDIS information is also taken from a large number of other sources: medical records, pharmacy claims, insurance information, and other professional resources.
From Information to Improved Treatment
With the compilation HEDIS data, healthcare organizations are able to recommend the most appropriate medications for individuals of all ages and with varying coexisting medical conditions.
With an appropriate adjustment of antidepressant medications, the behavioral health provider will then be able to focus on providing additional resources to their clients. With the use of HEDIS data, the mental health provider can reduce the amount of time and effort expended on determining the most appropriate medication regimen. This frees up treatment time to be spent in arranging for counseling, group therapy, and many of the other resources available.
If your managed behavioral health business would like more information about how HEDIS findings can improve your success, then contact HEDIS Nurses for answers.
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