Hawaii Medicaid Expands Depression Screening to Improve Member Health Outcomes
UnitedHealthcare Community Plan Hawaii has stayed true to its health members by establishing new standards for depression screening requirements under the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Screening for Depression and Follow-Up Plan (CDF).
Under the program, all Medicaid beneficiaries aged 12 years and above are supposed to be screened against depression whenever they visit outpatient clinics in Hawaii. Screening should be achieved with a standardized age-sensitive instrument on the appointment day or within 14 days of the appointment.
In the event that a screening result is positive, a follow-up care plan should be documented by providers the same day. This step would help provide early care and access to mental health services in line with CMS’s objective of enhancing early recognition and treatment of depression.
CMS adult technical specifications and CMS child technical specifications can be reviewed for further guidance.
Providers can access the UnitedHealthcare Provider Portal to find further guidance, resources, and support, including 24/7 chat assistance.
