#134: Preventive Care and Screening: Screening for Depression and Follow-Up Plan--eCQM collection type
MEASURE DESCRIPTION
Percentage of patients aged 12 years and older screened for depression on the date of the encounter or up to 14 days prior to the date of the encounter using an age-appropriate standardized depression screening tool AND if positive, a follow-up plan is documented in the visit note and shared with the patient on the date of the visit or up to two days after the date of the qualifying encounter.
Numerator
Patients screened for depression on the date of the encounter or up to 14 days prior to the date of the encounter using an age-appropriate standardized tool. If positive, the follow-up plan MUST be provided for and discussed with the patient during the qualifying encounter used to evaluate the numerator. The follow-up plan must also be entered into iKM using “Add Depression Status” in the Observation tab on the date of the qualifying visit or no later than 2 days following the visit.
Follow-Up Plan – Documented follow-up for a positive depression screening must include one or more of the following:
Referral to a provider for additional evaluation and assessment to formulate a follow-up plan for a positive depression screen
Pharmacological interventions
Other interventions or follow-up for the diagnosis or treatment of depression
Denominator
All patients aged 12 years and older at the beginning of the measurement period with at least one qualifying encounter during the measurement period
Exclusion/Exceptions
Patients who have ever been diagnosed with bipolar disorder at any time prior to the qualifying encounter.
If depression screening is not performed for a medical reason, use the drop-down list to document the reason not completed.
Scoring
CMS has removed the benchmark for the eCQM version of this measure for 2024. Reporting this measure will earn 0 points, 3 points for small practices, unless CMS develops same year benchmarks after submission. If so, the measure has a 7-point cap for 2024.
Resources