American Association of Health Plans

Current Issues Report: Approaches to Depression Care

Managed care has long been recognized for tackling health care inflation. Yet, its hallmarks of comprehensive treatment, quality measurement and innovative design in the delivery of health care although successfully implemented in many areas of medicine are often met with skepticism. When such efforts are recognized, the concentration is often on physical illness, such as a disease management program for diabetes or asthma. With this report, the focus is widened confirming that health plans do recognize the importance and need for appropriate mental health services and that mental health is an essential part of overall improved health status.

Although mental health care encompasses numerous health care problems, the focus of this report is depression in managed care systems how health plans have analyzed patient needs, assessed and applied available resources, initiated and developed programs, and improved care during the process. Approaches to Depression Care provides relevant information on the current state of depression as an illness, facts and figures on depression, what it is, who it affects, opportunities for care, tools for quality measurement, and successful care initiatives within the managed care setting.

The report highlights health plans thoughtful and wide-ranging approaches to this common disease, which affects approximately ten percent of the U.S. population at any given time. Because health plans provide the health care for most Americans, (approx. 68% of the population), they have a strong commitment to improve the recognition, diagnosis, and treatment of depression. To make this goal a reality, however, takes teamwork, within the system and, in some cases, in partnership with managed behavioral health care organizations, which you will see reflected throughout the report. Health maintenance organizations and similar network-based care plans have a major advantage over more fragmented systems of care in their ability to organize, coordinate, and track health services to systematically and continually improve patient outcomes. This report provides real-life examples of these concepts.

The goal of every health plan is to advance wellness and restore health through the implementation of programs that reflect appropriate quality care. This is in keeping with the high priority that Americans place on preventing disease and promoting personal-well being. Advances in medical research, improved therapeutic options, and the cultural climate have fueled the progress made in identifying and treating depression in America.

Health plans, as this report demonstrates, are contributing greatly to that progress.