Aetna Screening Process Helps Nurses Spot Symptoms Of Depression In Members Fighting Chronic Conditions
Screening identifies individuals who may benefit from behavioral health services
HARTFORD, Conn., December 20, 2007 — As part of its commitment to integrating behavioral health with pharmacy and medical data, Aetna (NYSE: ΑET) has now made it easier for its case management nurses to help identify signs of depression in members who have chronic conditions and obtain medications from Aetna Specialty Pharmacy. These particular members are taking medications for conditions such as diabetes, cancer, multiple sclerosis, hepatitis or HIV, which can often have co-occurring behavioral health issues. Aetna care management nurses conduct screenings by using an online questionnaire. The screening is not mandatory, and members are not required to participate.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), co-occurring depression is common in medical illnesses. It exists in:
- 40 to 65 percent of myocardial infarction patients
- 25 percent of cancer survivors
"Aetna is in the unique position of being able to integrate medical, behavioral and pharmacy data to help members receive the most appropriate treatment and follow-up plan to see if the treatment is working," said Jennifer Taylor, Director of Clinical Operations for Aetna Specialty Pharmacy. "We see our nurses as an integral part of that process because they talk with members every day and have the opportunity to find out if they are experiencing any behavioral health issues."
"By integrating behavioral health questions into the Aetna Specialty Pharmacy screening tool we are able to help identify high risk members who may benefit from behavioral health services," added Bill Gillis, Head of Clinical Specialty Programs for Aetna Behavioral Health. "At that point, an Aetna Behavioral Health Care Manager will assess and support the individual and work with the treating providers to develop a care plan that meets the member’s needs."
The Care Manager may suggest enrollment in a behavioral health specialty program to provide the member with the level of support they need to achieve optimal health. Aetna Behavioral Health takes the additional step of actively coordinating any behavioral health care between the member’s primary care provider and any other treating providers.
The relative risk for developing heart disease in individuals with depression or depressive symptoms is approximately 1.6 times greater than among nondepressed persons. Studies have also shown the odds of depression in study participants with diabetes were twice that of the participants who didn’t have diabetes.
Aetna’s screening program is one of several integrated Behavioral Health programs that are designed to help improve members’ overall health and manage health care costs associated with chronic illness, including alcoholism, anxiety and bipolar disease. Aetna’s Medical/Psychiatric High Risk Case Management (Med Psych) program also targets members with severe health conditions and evidence of major depression. Aetna tracked the impact of the Med Psych program in 2003 and 2004. Members who participated reported an improved quality of life as well as a reduction in work and social limitations. Aetna also determined that the program could save plan sponsors as much as $136 in medical costs each month for every member who enrolls and completes the program.
Aetna is one of the nation’s leading diversified health care benefits companies, serving approximately 36.4 million people with information and resources to help them make better informed decisions about their health care. Aetna offers a broad range of traditional and consumer-directed health insurance products and related services, including medical, pharmacy, dental, behavioral health, group life and disability plans, and medical management capabilities and health care management services for Medicaid plans. Our customers include employer groups, individuals, college students, part-time and hourly workers, health plans, government-sponsored plans and expatriates. www.aetna.com
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