Program targets postpartum depression
Aim is to avoid problems down the road
Health Alliance Plan (HAP) takes a proactive approach to postpartum depression, screening all new mothers within two to four weeks of the birth.
New mothers are mailed a postpartum packet with the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Screen Prime-MD screening tool included, which is mailed back to the health plan’s coordinated behavioral health management (CBHM) department to be scored and for follow-up.
The intervention is timed so that women at risk for postpartum depression can be identified before they see their obstetrician for their six-week check-up. Postpartum depression usually does not set in until two to four weeks after the birth.
"It’s a high-risk population, and there can be tragic circumstances if postpartum depression isn’t treated," says Mary Clare Solky, MA, director of coordinated behavioral health management for the Detroit-based health plan.
The behavioral health department scores the screening information. A case manager calls women whose score exceeds a certain threshold and suggests that they see a behavioral health specialist.
If the new mothers don’t respond, the case managers follow up and send them a second letter if necessary.
"Women are very receptive to getting help. We do a lot of intervening," Solky explains.
The behavioral medicine case manager is the lead person working with postpartum depression members. They make sure women with a high score are referred to a specialist and then follow up to make sure they go to their appointment.
Health Alliance Plan (HAP) takes a proactive approach to postpartum depression, screening all new mothers within two to four weeks of the birth.You have reached your article limit for the month. Subscribe now to access this article plus other member-only content.
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