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DSS data show low documented follow-up after positive perinatal depression screens in 2024
Summary
DSS presented HEDIS-based measures showing low documented follow-up: postpartum depression screening follow-up was 2.2% in measurement year 2024 (numerator 244; denominator ~11,000) and prenatal screening follow-up was 3.8% (numerator 460; denominator 11,976); presenters said the increase from 0% in 2023 reflects a switch to electronic measures and LOINC coding.
Caroline Anaszewski, a health program assistant in the Integrated Care Unit that administers the Medicaid program, told the task force that Connecticut’s shift to electronic measures produced visible screening-and-follow-up rates for 2024.
"For the postpartum depression screening and follow-up... in calendar year 2024 it was 2.2," Caroline said, adding the denominator was a little over 11,000 and the numerator was 244 people who screened positive and were followed up. She also said prenatal depression screening follow-up was 3.8% in measurement year 2024 (denominator 11,976; numerator 460).
Caroline said the apparent jump from 0% in 2023 reflects a technical change: the state began using LOINC codes and electronic measures in 2024, which let analysts capture PHQ-2/PHQ-9 and similar results that were not visible under earlier claim-based measurement. She cautioned the group that the measures reported for this presentation represent Medicaid (Husky) populations and that some screening events may not be captured if providers do not submit the specific billing or LOINC-coded data.
Members asked whether the reported counts represent total screenings or only positive screens followed by documented follow-up; Caroline clarified the percentages refer to the share of deliveries in which persons screened positive and received follow-up within 30 days under the HEDIS definitions presented. The group agreed to send structured questions to DSS so staff can pull more targeted or disaggregated data in a future session.
