2021 Edition - Quality of Care: Behavioral Health
 C A L I F O R N I A H E A LT H C A R E A L M A N A C                                                                                          M AY 2 0 2 1
Jen Joynt, Independent Health Care Consultant

Over the last few decades, there has been a significant growth in the measurement and reporting of
health care quality outcomes. As health care evolves, it is important to continue to monitor and report
on the quality of care delivered to patients in California and across the US. This is part of a series of
measures CHCF is publishing on the quality of care in our state. Topics range from maternal to end-of-
life care, and include measures on behavioral health, chronic conditions, and providers.

This set of quality measures focuses on behavioral health, including mental health and substance use.

California adolescents were less likely to receive treatment for depression than adolescents nationwide.
Among adolescents in California who reported a major depressive episode, 36% received treatment for
depression. This was lower than the national rate of 42% and the Healthy People 2030 target of 46%.


   Adolescent Depression Treatment, California vs. US, 2016 to 2019




Notes: Adolescents age 12 to 17 who reported major depressive episode in past year who received treatment for depression. The US
government's Healthy People 2030 initiative sets data-driven national objectives to improve health and well-being over the next decade.
Source: Behavioral Health Barometer: California, Volume 6 (PDF), SAMHSA, 2020.




CALIFORNIA HEALTH CARE FOUNDATION                                                     www.chcf.org/publication/2021-edition-quality-care-behavioral-health   |   1
2021 Edition - Quality of Care: Behavioral Health

Health plans in California and the US performed better on initiation of antidepressant medication
treatment than on continuation of that treatment.
In California and the US, 7 in 10 adult health plan patients who were diagnosed with depression
and newly treated with antidepressant medication remained on their antidepressant medication for
the first 12 weeks following the start of treatment. However, more than 5 in 10 California patients
remained on an antidepressant medication for six months following the start of treatment.


   Antidepressant Medication Management in Adults, California vs. US, 2019




Notes: California data are based on the average performance of the 10 largest HMOs and six largest PPOs in the state. US data are based
on the average performance of health plans located throughout the United States. Initiation is percentage of adults age 18+ diagnosed
with major depression who were newly treated with antidepressant medication and remained on their antidepressant medication for
the first 12 weeks following start of treatment. Continuation is percentage of adults age 18+ who were newly treated with antidepressant
medication and remained on antidepressant medication for six months following the start of treatment.
Source: "California Health Plans Compared to Health Plans Nationwide," Office of the Patient Advocate.




CALIFORNIA HEALTH CARE FOUNDATION                                                      www.chcf.org/publication/2021-edition-quality-care-behavioral-health   |   2
2021 Edition - Quality of Care: Behavioral Health

In California and the US, few health plan patients with alcohol or drug dependence diagnoses
received treatment services.
About 4 in 10 adolescent and adult health plan patients in California started treatment services for
alcohol or drug dependence within 14 days of being diagnosed. About 1 in 8 health plan patients
initiated treatment services within 14 days and received at least two follow-up treatment services
within 30 days of the initial treatment.


   Alcohol and Drug Dependence Treatment, California vs. US, 2019




Notes: California data are based on the average performance of the 10 largest HMOs and six largest PPOs in the state. US data are based
on the average performance of health plans located throughout the United States. Initiation is the percentage of adolescent or adult
health plan patients who have an alcohol or other drug dependence diagnosis and started treatment services within 14 days of being
diagnosed. Continuation is the percentage of adolescent or adult health plan patients with an alcohol or other drug dependence diagnosis
who had initial treatment within two weeks of diagnosis and had at least two follow-up treatment services within 30 days of initial
treatment.
Source: "California Health Plans Compared to Health Plans Nationwide," Office of the Patient Advocate.




The companion Excel data file, which provides these data and more, is available for download at
www.chcf.org/publication/2021-edition-quality-care-behavioral-health. These materials are part of
CHCF's California Health Care Almanac, an online clearinghouse for key data and analyses describing
the state's health care landscape. See our entire collection of current and past editions of Quality of
Care at www.chcf.org/collection/quality-care-almanac.


CALIFORNIA HEALTH CARE FOUNDATION                                                      www.chcf.org/publication/2021-edition-quality-care-behavioral-health   |   3