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Depression Screenings

Date: 08/02/22

Depression among adolescents and adults can adversely affect their health and wellbeing. The U.S. Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends screening for depression among adolescents 12–18 years of age and the general adult population, including pregnant and postpartum women.[1] The USPSTF also recommends that screenings be implemented with adequate systems in place to ensure accurate diagnosis, effective treatment and appropriate follow-up.[2]

Depression can look different in each age group, as well as between individuals who are pregnant/postpartum and individuals who are not. However, common symptoms include:

  • Feeling sad, hopeless, or irritable a lot of the time
  • Lack of interest and enjoyment of fun activities
  • Showing changes in eating patterns – eating a lot more or a lot less than usual
  • Showing changes in sleep patterns – sleeping a lot more or a lot less than normal
  • Showing changes in energy – being tired and sluggish or tense and restless a lot of the time
  • Having a hard time paying attention
  • Feeling worthless, useless, or guilty
  • Self-injury and self-destructive behavior

For a more comprehensive list of symptoms, visit the National Institute of Mental Health’s webpage.

We at Arkansas Health & Wellness care about our members’ whole-body health, and we know you do too. We are here to help you and your patients get the care that they need to live a healthier life.

For relevant CPT codes, HCPCS codes, and codes to identify outpatient visits, depression screening, active diagnosis of depression, bipolar disorder, and exception codes, refer to our Provider Resources page and navigate to the appropriate “Coding Tip Sheets And Forms” section of the menu on the left side of the screen.

 

[1]U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. 2016. “Screening for Depression in Children and Adolescents: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement.” Annals of Internal Medicine 164:360–6.  

[2] U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. 2016. “Screening for Major Depressive Disorder in Adults: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement.” Journal of the American Medical Association 315(4):380–7.