Making a Dent in Undiagnosed and Untreated Depression among Older West Virginians.
OBJECTIVE
Depression, a serious and debilitating disease, remains under-diagnosed and inadequately treated among older adults.


OBJECTIVE
To describe the prevalence of depression among older West Virginians and report the extent to which primary care providers screen Medicare beneficiaries for depression.


METHODS
Descriptive analysis using 2014 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System to estimate depression prevalence; Medicare Part B claims, 2012 - 2014, to measure depression screening.


RESULTS
In 2014, depression affected 10.1%, 95% CI [8.6%, 11.6%] of older West Virginians. While screening increased, less than 4% of Medicare beneficiaries seen in primary care that year were screened.


CONCLUSIONS
We have a significant opportunity to improve diagnosis, treatment and quality of life for older West Virginians with depression, and Medicare reimbursement for screening is available to primary care providers. Although many older depressed patients can be treated in the primary care setting, integration of behavioral health and primary care has distinct benefits.
Janet R
JR
Lynch
Sven T
ST
Berg
Jill
J
Manna
Charles P
CP
Schade
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D006278:Medicare; D015995:Prevalence; D011320:Primary Health Care; D014481:United States; D014903:West Virginia / Q000453:epidemiology