This information is for reference purposes only. It was current when produced and may now be outdated. Archive material is no longer maintained, and some links may not work. Persons with disabilities having difficulty accessing this information should contact us at: https://info.ahrq.gov. Let us know the nature of the problem, the Web address of what you want, and your contact information.
Please go to www.ahrq.gov for current information.
Percent of adults diagnosed with a new episode of depression and initiated on an antidepressant drug who remained on an antidepressant medication through the continuation phase of treatment
Measure Source
NCQA Health Plan Employer Data Information Set (HEDIS) measure.
Table
1.81 Adults diagnosed with a new episode of depression and initiated on an antidepressant drug who remained on an antidepressant medication through the continuation phase of treatment, United States, 2001 and 2004.
Data Source
NCQA, HEDIS data.
Denominator
U.S. enrollees of Medicaid, Medicare or commercial health plans, age 18 and over, with a pharmacy benefit, diagnosed with a new episode of major depression (ICD-9-CM codes 296.2, 296.3, 298.0, 300.4, 309.1, 311) and initiated on an antidepressant drug.
Numerator
Subset of the denominator receiving antidepressant medication and remaining on medication throughout the continuation treatment phase (6 months following initial diagnosis).
Comments
A new episode is defined as no prior diagnosis of depression of any magnitude (ICD-9-CM codes 296.2-296.9, 298.0, 300.4, 309.0, 309.1, 309.28, 311) within 120 days of the first episode occurring during the study year.
Refer to HEDIS technical specifications for a more thorough discussion of measure requirements.
Return to Contents
5600 Fishers Lane Rockville, MD 20857 
