Does consideration of Medicare use affect VA evaluations of treatment for new episodes of depression?

McCarthy JF, Zivin K, Austin KL, Kales HC, Valenstein M. Does consideration of Medicare use affect VA evaluations of treatment for new episodes of depression? Administration and policy in mental health. 2008 Nov 1; 35(6):468-76.

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Abstract:

This report evaluates whether consideration of out-of-system use affects Veterans Affairs (VA) health system assessments of depression treatment. We measured effective medication management and optimal practitioner contacts among veterans whose VA data indicated a new episode of depression. Among 3,567 VA patients who were Medicare age-eligible, VA data indicated that 69% received recommended antidepressant coverage and 9% received recommended practitioner contacts. After including Medicare data, 295 patients (8%) no longer met inclusion criteria. Among the remainder, 3% received Medicare depression treatment and 0.5% were re-classified as having recommended contacts. Medicare use does not substantially supplement VA depression treatment.