Does consideration of Medicare use affect VA evaluations of treatment for new episodes of depression?
This report evaluates whether consideration of out-of-system use affects Veterans Affairs (VA) health system assessments of depression treatment. We measured effective medication management and optimal practitioner contacts among veterans whose VA data indicated a new episode of depression. Among 3,567 VA patients who were Medicare age-eligible, VA data indicated that 69% received recommended antidepressant coverage and 9% received recommended practitioner contacts. After including Medicare data, 295 patients (8%) no longer met inclusion criteria. Among the remainder, 3% received Medicare depression treatment and 0.5% were re-classified as having recommended contacts. Medicare use does not substantially supplement VA depression treatment.
McCarthy
John F
JF
HSR&D Field Program, VA Serious Mental Illness Treatment Research and Evaluation Center, PO Box 130170, Ann Arbor, MI 48113-0170, USA. john.mccarthy2@va.gov
Zivin
Kara
K
Austin
Karen L
KL
Kales
Helen C
HC
Valenstein
Marcia
M
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000628:therapy*; D017050:Episode of Care; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006278:Medicare / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014481:United States; D014493:United States Department of Veterans Affairs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data