IA_BMH_4Behavioral and Mental Health

Depression screening

2026 MIPS Improvement Activities

At a glance
Activity ID
IA_BMH_4
Subcategory
Behavioral and Mental Health
Category
Improvement Activities

Objective

Improve the identification of depression among patients with behavioral or mental health conditions and sustain patient-centered support and treatment for those diagnosed with depression.

Activity description

Depression screening and follow-up plan: Regular engagement of MIPS eligible clinicians or groups in integrated prevention and treatment interventions, including depression screening and follow-up plan (refer to NQF #0418) for patients with co-occurring conditions of behavioral or mental health conditions.

Suggested documentation

Demonstration of regular engagement in integrated prevention and treatment interventions including depression screening and follow-up plan for patients diagnosed with behavioral or mental health disorders. Include all of the following elements:

1) Identification of patients with behavioral or mental health conditions and depression risk factors – Report from the electronic health record (EHR), qualified clinical data registry (QCDR), clinical registry, or other system demonstrating that the eligible clinician tracks patients with conditions of behavioral health or mental health and with risk factors for depression; AND

2) Evidence of depression screening – Report from the electronic health record (EHR), qualified clinical data registry (QCDR), clinical registry, or documentation from medical charts showing regular practice for depression screening for patients with diagnosed behavioral or mental health disorders; AND

3) Evidence of depression follow-up – Report from EHR, QCDR, clinical registry, or documentation from medical charts showing depression follow-up plan for patients with positive screen.

Improvement Activity details reference the CMS Quality Payment Program and change each performance year. Confirm requirements against the official CMS pages before attesting.