November 4, 2020
Screening and Treatment
The Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) states that major depressive disorder affects 16.1 million American adults, 6.7% of the adult population (ADAA, 2020). Depression may adversely affect treatment, barriers, and management of other chronic medical conditions. Patient outcomes improve when the patient is screened for depression, assessed for symptoms and provided treatment. Screening should be implemented with adequate evidence-based screening tools to ensure accurate diagnosis, efficient treatment and appropriate follow-up.
Treating Depression
A positive depression screening should consist of advising on screening results, providing an individualized, evidence-based treatment that includes a follow-up assessment and support for medication adherence and referral to behavioral health when needed.
Depression is remarkably responsive to antidepressant therapy, but only if the patient receives appropriate treatment in a timely manner. Proper treatment of depression has been proven to effectively reduce depressive symptoms, decrease the risk of relapse and recurrence, and decrease emergency department visits and hospitalization rates (Simon, M.D., 2019).
Screening for Depression in Adults: Recommendation Statement 
. (2016, August 15). Retrieved September 29, 2020
The information in this article is being provided for educational purposes only and is not the provision of medical care or advice. Physicians and other health care providers are to their own best medical judgment based upon all available information and the condition of the patient in determining the best course of treatment. The fact that a service or treatment is described in this material is not a guarantee that the service or treatment is a covered benefit and members should refer to their certificate of coverage for more details, including benefits, limitations and exclusions. Regardless of benefits, the final decision about any service or treatment is between the member and their health care provider.