title: Effectiveness, patient matching, and insurance coverage for depression.
abstract: The effectiveness of treatment for depression is not in doubt, and common humanity would indicate that it should be provided to those that need it. However, in this paper I argue that the existence of effective treatment should not be regarded as a sufficient condition for the extension of insurance cover. This is because insurance coverage cannot guarantee that treatment is delivered effectively, nor that it is given to the right people; neither does it lend itself to the maximization of cost-effectiveness. Payment systems must take account of these considerations.
mesh_terms: D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000191:economics*; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000191:economics* / Q000628:therapy; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000191:economics*; D006801:Humans; D007099:Imipramine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007348:Insurance, Health / Q000191:economics*; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D007099:Imipramine