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July 01, 2022

Metabolic screening for children and adolescents prescribed antipsychotic medications

Antipsychotic medications prescribed for child or adolescent patients can have adverse effects on their metabolism.1,2 To assist you as you care for these patients, we’ve listed suggested considerations for monitoring and follow-up care, and compiled the following list of helpful UnitedHealthcare resources.

Monitoring and follow-up care
The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) recommends completing these tests for children and adolescents after an initial prescription of antipsychotic medication:3

  • At least 1 test for blood glucose or HbA1c
  • At least 1 test for LDL-C or cholesterol

Consider annual monitoring of fasting glucose/HbA1c and cholesterol/LDL-C tests

How to refer to a behavioral health professional
You can call the number on the patient's health plan ID card if you need to refer them to a behavioral health professional or request coordination of care. You’ll also find local behavioral health professionals at liveandworkwell.com search for providers.

Behavioral health toolkit for medical providers
Go to providerexpress.com and log in with your One Healthcare ID. Then select Clinical Resources > Behavioral Health Toolkit for Medical Providers.

Patient education information
Visit liveandworkwell.com and scroll down to find the links to topics.

Questions?
Call the number on the patient's health plan ID card.

1American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (February 2012). A Guide for Community Child Serving Agencies on Psychotropic Medications for Children and Adolescents. Retrieved from www.aacap.org/App_Themes/AACAP/docs/press/guide_for_community_child_serving_agencies_on_psychotropic_medications_for_children_and_adolescents_2012.pdf.
2American Psychiatric Association (September 2013). Choosing Wisely, Five Things Physicians and Patients Should Question. Retrieved from psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/practice/quality-improvement/choosing-wisely.
3NCQA HEDIS® MY 2020 & 2021, HEDIS measure for APM; ncqa.org/hedis/measures/metabolic-monitoring-for-children-and-adolescents-on- antipsychotics/.
HEDIS® is a registered trademark of the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA).
Insurance coverage provided by or through UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company or its affiliates. Health plan coverage provided by UnitedHealthcare of Arizona, Inc., UHC of California DBA UnitedHealthcare of California, UnitedHealthcare Benefits Plan of California, UnitedHealthcare of Colorado, Inc., UnitedHealthcare of the Mid-Atlantic, Inc., MAMSI Life and Health Insurance Company, UnitedHealthcare of New York, Inc., UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company of New York, UnitedHealthcare of Oklahoma, Inc., UnitedHealthcare of Oregon, Inc., UnitedHealthcare of Pennsylvania, Inc., UnitedHealthcare of Texas, Inc., UnitedHealthcare Benefits of Texas, Inc., UnitedHealthcare of Utah, Inc., UnitedHealthcare of Washington, Inc., Optimum Choice, Inc., Oxford Health Insurance, Inc., Oxford Health Plans (N.J.), Inc., Oxford Health Plans (C.T.), Inc., All Savers Insurance Company or other affiliates. Administrative services provided by OptumHealth Care Solutions, LLC, OptumRx, Oxford Health Plans LLC, United HealthCare Services, Inc. or other affiliates. Behavioral health products provided by U.S. Behavioral Health Plan, California (USBHPC) or its affiliates.
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