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May 18, 2023

Behavioral health resources for medical providers

If you care for a UnitedHealthcare commercial plan member who takes an antipsychotic, antidepressant or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medication, please review the following screening tools and recommendations by condition.

For adolescents and children

ADHD
Prior to diagnosis, please consider conducting a thorough assessment to rule out other conditions that can mimic ADHD in children, such as learning disabilities, depression and anxiety. We encourage you to use these screening resources:

In addition, the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) provides care guidance in their Follow-Up Care for Children Prescribed ADHD Medication article.

Metabolic monitoring
To help prevent the adverse metabolic effects that children and adolescents can experience from antipsychotic medication,1,2 the NCQA has specific recommendations for blood glucose and cholesterol tests and annual monitoring.

The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) has specific recommendations for psychosocial care.

For adults

Depression
The American Psychiatric Association (APA) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) recommend that adult patients complete the Patient Health Questionnaire screening tool as needed.

Resources

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.
PCA-1-23-01189-Clinical-News_05192023
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