Depression Screening and Follow-Up for Adolescents and Adults (DSF-E)
Measure Description
Percentage of Members 12 years of age and older who were screened for clinical depression using a standardized instrument and, if screened positive, received follow-up care.
- Depression Screening: The percentage of members who were screened for clinical depression using a standardized instrument.
- Follow-Up on Positive Screen: The percentage of members who received follow-up care within 30 days of a positive depression screen finding.
Compliance
- Depression Screening: Members with a documented result for depression using an age-appropriate standardized instrument performed between January 1 and December 1 of the measurement period.
- Follow-Up on Positive Screen: Members who received follow-up care within 30 days of a positive depression screen finding.
Population
Members 12 years of age and older as of January 1.
Measurement Period
January 1 – December 31
Notes
Data for screening will come from supplemental data sources.
The measure requires use of an age-appropriate screening instrument. The patient’s age determines the screening instrument.
Documentation Requirements
Name of the depression screening tool and result.
Screening Tools
The below screening tools use LOINC codes which require a corresponding result.
Instruments for Adolescents (≤17 years) | Positive Finding |
Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9)® | Total score ≥10 |
Patient Health Questionnaire Modified for Teens (PHQ-9M)® | Total score ≥10 |
Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2)®1 | Total score ≥3 |
Beck Depression Inventory-Fast Screen (BDI-FS)®1,2 | Total score ≥8 |
Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale—Revised (CESD-R) | Total score ≥17 |
Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) | Total score ≥10 |
PROMIS Depression | Total score (T score) >60 |
1Brief screening instrument. All other instruments are full-length.
2Proprietary; may be cost or licensing requirement associated with use.
Instruments for Adults (18+ years) | Positive Finding |
| Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9)® | Total score ≥10 |
| Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2)®1 | Total score ≥3 |
| Beck Depression Inventory-Fast Screen (BDI-FS)®1,2 | Total score ≥8 |
| Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) | Total score ≥20 |
| Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale—Revised (CESD-R) | Total score ≥17 |
| Duke Anxiety—Depression Scale (DUKE-AD)®2 | Total score ≥30 |
| Geriatric Depression Scale Short Form (GDS)1 | Total score ≥5 |
| Geriatric Depression Scale Long Form (GDS) | Total score ≥10 |
| Edinburg Post-Natal Depression Scale (EPDS) | Total score ≥10 |
| My Mood Monitor (M3)® | Total score ≥5 |
| PROMIS Depression | Total score (T Score) ≥60 |
| PROMIS Emotional Distress-Depression-Short Form | Total score (T Score) ≥60 |
| Clinically Useful Depression Outcome Scale (CUDOS) | Total score ≥31 |
1Brief screening instrument. All other instruments are full-length.
2Proprietary; may be cost or licensing requirement associated with use.
Documented Follow-Up
- Must occur on or up to 30 days after the first positive screen and may include:
- Outpatient, phone, e-visit or virtual checking with a diagnosis of depression or other behavioral health condition.
- A depression case management encounter that documents assessment for symptoms of depression or a diagnosis of depression or other behavioral health condition.
- A behavioral health encounter, including assessment, therapy, collaborative care or medication management.
- Diagnosis of encounter for exercise counseling (Z71.82).
- A dispensed antidepressant medication.
- OR
- Documentation of additional depression screening on a full-length instrument indicating no depressive symptoms that require follow-up on the same day as a positive screen on a brief screening instrument.
- Example: If there is a positive screen resulting from a PHQ-2 score, documentation of a negative finding from a PHQ-9 performed on the same day qualifies as evidence of follow-up.
- Documentation of additional depression screening on a full-length instrument indicating no depressive symptoms that require follow-up on the same day as a positive screen on a brief screening instrument.
Exclusions
- Members with a history of bipolar disorder any time during the member’s history through the end of the year prior to the measurement year.
- Members with depression that starts during the year prior to the measurement year.
- Members in hospice during the measurement year.
- Members who die any time during the measurement period.
Best Practices
- Use standardized clinical depression screening tools and EMR templates to document screening results and scores at least annually.
- Use every office visit as an opportunity to screen for depression
- Outpatient, telephone, e-visit, and virtual check-in follow-ups are acceptable for meeting measure requirements.
- Screen postpartum patients for depression at their post-partum visit.
- Utilize EMR reporting and patient flags for those in need of screening.
- Schedule patients for follow-up visit at the time a positive screen is identified.
- Educate patients on the importance of follow-up and adhering to treatment recommendations.
Coding and Benefits Disclaimer
Providers and organizations must submit accurate and complete data in accordance with all billing, coding, and medical policy requirements. HEDIS guidance does not override official coding standards or guarantee reimbursement, as coverage is subject to applicable medical/coding policy and member-specific benefits.
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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Updated 8/28/2026
