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25-1246 Action Required: Ensure Depression Screenings Count Toward Quality Metrics
Health Net·CA · Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, General Practice +3 more·Provider News
We identified it
Jun 20, 2026
Summary
Health Net now requires specific documentation for depression screenings to count toward HEDIS quality metrics. Documentation must include the screening tool name (PHQ-2, PHQ-9, etc.), numerical score, and follow-up actions within 30 days for positive screens, with proper LOINC code mapping for electronic data exchange.
Action Required
Immediately: Providers must update depression screening documentation to include: 1) Name of validated screening tool (PHQ-2, PHQ-9, etc.), 2) Total numerical score, 3) Follow-up action within 30 days for positive screens. Billing team must ensure EHR systems map screening scores to correct LOINC codes (PHQ-9: 44261-6, PHQ-9 teens: 89204-2, PHQ-2: 55758-7). Train clinical staff on new documentation standards to prevent loss of HEDIS quality scores.