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Follow-Up After Hospitalization for Mental Illness (FUH)

What is the FUH — HEDIS® Measure?

Based on current HEDIS recommendations for best practices, members ages 6 years and older who were hospitalized for treatment of select mental illness or intentional self-harm diagnoses, should have received a follow-up visit with a mental health provider.

The following will meet compliance when completed during the measurement year:

7-Day Follow-Up:

A follow-up visit with a mental health provider within 7 days after discharge

  • Per HEDIS specifications, do not include visits that occur on the date of discharge

30-Day Follow-Up

A follow-up visit with a mental health provider within 30 days after discharge

  • Per HEDIS specifications, do not include visits that occur on the date of discharge

Best Practices

  • Educate patients and caregivers on the importance of follow-up care to reduce the risk of inpatient admission.
  • Discuss the importance of seeking follow-up care with a mental health provider.
  • Train staff on the “Teach-Back Method” to ensure patients and caregivers review and understand discharge instructions and the next steps in their care for follow-up.
  • Develop outreach systems or assign case managers to encourage recently released patients to keep follow-up appointments or reschedule missed appointments.
  • Reach out to patients who do not keep initial follow-up appointments.
  • Set flags, if available, in EHR or develop a tracking method for patients due or past due for follow-up after discharge visits.
  • Coordinate care with behavioral health practitioners by sharing progress notes and updates.
  • Notify our Concurrent Review team of patient's aftercare information on the day of discharge.

NCQA HEDIS Population Definition for This Measure:

Population: Members ages 6 years and older as of the date of an acute inpatient discharge with a principal diagnosis of mental illness or intentional self-harm on the discharge claim on or between January 1 and December 1 of the measurement year.

Line of Business: Commercial, Medicaid, Medicare

To learn more about your practice's current HEDIS performance, HEDIS Value sets for this or other measures, or for assistance in compliance with the HEDIS guidelines, please email BH_HEDISTeam@HorizonBlue.com or visit Provider Tips for Optimizing HEDIS Results Booklet.