Patients diagnosed with depression may stop taking prescribed medication without consulting their physicians. As Humana Military Healthcare Services, Inc.’s behavioral health care partner for the TRICARE South Region, ValueOptions has recently begun an initiative to encourage all TRICARE beneficiaries diagnosed with depression, and who have been prescribed antidepressant medication, to continue taking their medication for the full course of treatment.
 
Because antidepressants may take several weeks of consistent use to reach therapeutic effect, it is important for you to stress to your patients that they take their medications as prescribed and not discontinue use without contacting you. Once initial antidepressant medication has been started, it may be necessary to change medications or add additional medication(s) until the patient experiences relief. Some patients diagnosed with depression are less likely to have a relapse if they continue the antidepressant medication for up to a year or longer.
 
ValueOptions is monitoring antidepressant compliance and is encouraging TRICARE beneficiaries diagnosed with depression to remain on a prescribed antidepressant for at least six months. We are also educating beneficiaries that it is important for them to inform their physicians about any side effects, especially those that may result in noncompliance. We will be reinforcing the need for patients to discuss discontinuation of any medication with their doctor rather than deciding to stop taking medications on
their own.
 
Many patients find psychotherapy, in addition to medication management, beneficial in decreasing their symptoms. Many times combination therapy of medication and therapy results in the best outcomes. If you have any questions about how to refer a TRICARE beneficiary for psychotherapy, please contact ValueOptions at 1-800-700-8646.