Which CMS quality measure assesses follow-up after hospitalization for mental illness and what is its purpose?

• A. Medication adherence after discharge; to measure pharmacotherapy compliance
• B. Depression screening frequency; to identify new cases
• C. Follow-up after hospitalization for mental illness; to assess continuity of care and reduce readmissions
• D. Patient satisfaction with care; to evaluate experience

Answer: (C)

The main idea here is continuity of care after leaving a mental health hospitalization. This CMS measure checks whether a patient has a follow-up visit with a mental health professional after discharge, with the goal of ensuring ongoing treatment, proper medication management, and monitoring of symptoms as the patient transitions back to outpatient care. When follow-up happens promptly, it helps maintain treatment engagement, addresses problems early, and reduces the chance the patient will relapse or be readmitted to the hospital. The other options describe different aims—medication adherence without a scheduled follow-up, screening for new depression cases, or overall patient experience—not the post-discharge connection to outpatient care that this measure is designed to promote.