Adult Major Depressive Disorder (MDD): Suicide Risk Assessment

This eCQM is an episode-based measure and should be reported for each instance of a new or recurrent episode of major depressive disorder (MDD) during the measurement period. This measure should be reported for each eligible encounter during which a new or recurrent episode of MDD is identified in adults that turn 18 or older during the measurement period.

As the guidelines state, it is important to assess for additional factors which may increase or decrease suicide risk, such as presence of additional symptoms (e.g., psychosis, severe anxiety, hopelessness, severe chronic pain); presence of substance abuse, history and seriousness of previous attempts, particularly, recent suicidal behavior, current stressors and potential protective factors (e.g., positive reasons for living, strong social support), family history of suicide or mental illness or recent exposure to suicide, impulsivity and potential for risk to others, including history of violence or violent or homicidal ideas, plans, or intentions, and putting one's affairs in order (e.g., giving away possessions, writing a will). In addition, although the measure focuses on the initial visit, it is critical that suicide risk be monitored especially for the 90 days following the initial visit and throughout MDD treatment.

It is expected that a suicide risk assessment will be completed at the visit during which a new diagnosis is made or at the visit during which a recurrent episode is first identified (i.e., at the initial evaluation). For the purposes of this measure, an episode of major depressive disorder (MDD) would be considered to be recurrent if a patient has not had an MDD-related encounter in the past 105 days. If there is a gap of 105 or more days between visits for major depressive disorder (MDD), that would imply a recurrent episode. The 105-day look-back period is an operational provision and not a clinical recommendation, or definition of relapse, remission, or recurrence.

In recognition of the growing use of integrated and team-based care, the diagnosis of depression and the assessment for suicide risk need not be performed by the same provider or clinician.

Suicide risk assessments completed via telehealth services can also meet numerator performance.

Use of a standardized tool(s) or instrument(s) to assess suicide risk will meet numerator performance. Standardized tools can be mapped to the concept "Intervention, Performed": "Suicide risk assessment (procedure)" included in the numerator logic below.

The logic statement for the age requirement, as written, captures patients who turn 18 years old during the measurement period so that these patients are included in the measure, so long as the minimum criteria noted above is evaluated. To ensure all patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) are assessed for suicide risk, there are two clinical quality measures addressing suicide risk assessment; CMS177- Child and Adolescent Major Depressive Disorder (MDD): Suicide Risk Assessment covers children and adolescents aged 6 through 17, and CMS161 covers the adult population aged 18 years and older, as no individual suicide risk assessment tool or instrument would satisfy the requirements alone.

This version of the eCQM uses QDM version 5.6. Please refer to the QDM page for more information on the QDM.