HEDIS® Tip Sheet

Unhealthy Alcohol Use Screening and Follow-Up (ASF-E)

Line of business: BlueAlliance (Commercial) & BlueAlliance Care+ (Medicaid)

Measure Description

Percentage of members 18 years of age and older who were screened for unhealthy alcohol use using a standardized instrument and, if screened positive, received appropriate follow-up care.  

  • Unhealthy Alcohol Use Screening: The percentage of members who had a systematic screening for unhealthy alcohol use.  
  • Follow-up Care on Positive Screen: The percentage of members receiving brief counseling or other follow-up care within 60 days (2 months) of screening positive for unhealthy alcohol use.  

Compliance

  • Unhealthy Alcohol Use Screening: Members with a documented result for unhealthy alcohol use screening performed between January 1 and November 1 of the measurement period.
  • Follow-Up Care on Positive Screen: Members receiving alcohol counseling or other follow-up care on or up to 60 days after the date of the first positive screen.

Population

Members 18 years and older at the start of the measurement period.

Measurement Period

January 1 – December 31

Screening Tools:

Eligible unhealthy alcohol use screening instruments with thresholds for positive findings:



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Notes

  • Data for screening comes from supplemental data sources.
  • Age is as of the start of the measurement period. 
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Alcohol Counseling or Other Follow-Up Care:

Any of the following meet compliance for follow-up on or up to 60 days after the first positive screen:

  • Feedback on alcohol use and harms.
  • Identification of high-risk situations for drinking and coping strategies.
  • Increase the motivation to reduce drinking.
  • Development of a personal plan to reduce drinking.
  • Documentation of receiving alcohol misuse treatment.
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Exclusions

  • Members with alcohol use disorder that starts during the year prior to the measurement year.
  • Members with a history of dementia. 
  • Members in hospice during the measurement year.
  • Members who die any time during the measurement period. 
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Best Practices

  • Educate patients on the importance of follow-up care and following treatment recommendations.  
  • Utilize EMR reports and patient flags for those in need of screening.
  • Schedule follow-up appointments at the time of a positive screen for unhealthy alcohol use including those who were recently seen in the ED or had an inpatient admission.
  • Educate staff on the importance of screening and documenting patient’s alcohol use at least annually.
  • Document screening instrument used in the EMR.

Follow-Up Care on Positive Screen Codes

(ICD-10-CM code). 

CPT and HCPCS





ICD-10

Z71.41

Coding Disclaimer

The analysis of any medical coding question related to a measure is dependent on the measure’s technical specifications including the factual situations present related to the member, the practice, the professionals, and the medical services provided.

Questions  

Should you have specific coding or other questions related to the measure, please send your questions to BlueAlliance@bcbsnd.com.

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