Depression

Researchers estimate that depression affects 20 million Americans, making it one of our country’s most prevalent chronic diseases.

The effects of depression reach far beyond the person who suffers with it. Depression costs billions of dollars each year in absenteeism, illness, and disability. In fact, depression is the number two cause of disability. By the year 2020, it is projected to be number one. 

Network Health Plan's Depression Care Management Program provides additional support to those diagnosed with depression. Our goal: help those with depression better manage their condition. We also work with primary care clinics and other providers to make sure Network Health Plan participants get access to the care they need when they need it most. This support:

• Encourages participants to stick with their prescribed treatment plan
• Provides ongoing mood and symptom monitoring
• Offers educational resources about depression
• Reinforces the goals established between patients and their providers

How it Works

When Network Health Plan participants are diagnosed with depression, we send them a letter that explains the importance of taking medications as prescribed and notifying their practitioner if side effects occur. We also tell them that it’s crucial they seek help if their condition worsens in any way.

After the initial letter, we send five monthly educational mailings that contain tips and tools for living with depression. These tips and tools are created for those newly diagnosed with depression.  The education and guidance is designed to help during their treatment process. These mailings are sent to all Network Health Plan participants diagnosed with depression.

Those diagnosed with depression also receive a confidential phone call from our Behavioral Health team. We ask questions to determine their interest in participating in our program and whether they will benefit from it. For example, if we learn that their care is already being well-managed by their providers and they are responding well to treatment, they would not be a good candidate for further intervention through our program.

Collaboration with Providers

Network Health Plan also communicates with providers to offer support and resources for their patients who are diagnosed with depression management, including a monthly mailing that discusses best practices for depression, such as follow-up protocol, antidepressant medication continuation practices, and more.