Screening for Depression

According to Mental Health America (MHA), major depression is one of the most common mental illnesses, affecting more than 8% (21 million) of American adults each year. Clinical depression is a common and serious medical illness that can be effectively treated. The risk of clinical depression is often higher in individuals with serious medical illnesses, such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, and diabetes.

  • Nearly 74 percent of Americans who seek help for depression or symptoms of depression will go to a primary care physician rather than a mental health professional.
  • The more severe the medical condition, the more likely that patient will experience clinical depression.
  • People with depression experience greater distress, an increase in impaired functioning and less ability to follow medical regimens, thus hindering the treatment of any other medical conditions.
  • Unfortunately, the diagnosis of depression is missed 50 percent of the time in primary care settings.

Members with behavioral health disorders may also experience co-occurrence of depression with medical, psychiatric, and substance use disorders that complicate the treatment and diagnosis. AmeriHealth Caritas Florida understands that coordination of care for these patients is imperative. Members are treated with a holistic approach, integrating care to address their physical and behavioral health needs. We work with the patient’s primary care provider and behavioral health providers to develop an integrated treatment plan.

Routinely screen for depression

Inform your patients that screening for depression is a standard part of health screening and that everyone is asked the same questions.

Depression is among the most treatable of mental disorders. Between 80% and 90% percent of people with depression eventually respond well to treatment. Almost all patients gain some relief from their symptoms according to the American Psychiatric Association.

How is depression treated?

Behavioral Health Provider Toolkit (PDF) 

This toolkit is full of resources including:

  • Additional Adult, Adolescent and Child behavioral health screening assessments for Anxiety Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Depressive Disorders
  • Suicide Prevention Practices
  • Medication Management 
  • Therapy available

Learn more about screening for substance use disorder with SBIRT.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), about half of all people with a Substance Use Disorder also have a mental health condition, such as depression. While depression symptoms such as low mood can cause a person to misuse drugs and alcohol, (also considered “self-medicating”) SUD may also cause depression.

Tools to Screen for Alcohol and Substance Use Disorder

Learn more about Alcohol Use Disorder

Learn more about Maternal Mental Health

AmeriHealth Caritas Florida Resources and Support

Let us Know program!

Our Member Intervention request form (PDF) referral for Integrated Health Care Management (IHCM), Rapid Response and Outreach Team (RROT) or Complex Case Management programs.

Call 1-855-371-8072, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.,

or Fax the Member Intervention Request form to 1-855-236-9281.

Providers