Regence supports the use of practice guidelines to
assist in determinations of the clinical appropriateness
of treatment services provided for the mental health
and chemical dependency disorders and conditions listed
below. The practice guidelines describe generally accepted
practices and were developed by nationally recognized
organizations.
| Assessment |
The guidelines reflect current
practice standards for management and treatment
for the specific conditions by nationally recognized
medical associations. Scientific evidence
and references are provided to base recommendations,
but methods that were used to systematically
review and critically appraise the literature
are not readily transparent. Some the
listed guidelines are not updated annually. Therefore
a crucial aspect in applying the guidelines is
to ensure there is consideration of new or evolving
research regarding established treatments/management.
|
| Guideline |
Sponsoring Organization |
Revised Date |
Well
defined literature search a |
Critical
Appraisal Methodsb |
Strength of evidence for recommendations
clearly stated?
c |
Sources of Funding
d |
Alzheimer's Disease and Other
Dementias of Late Life |
American Psychiatric Association |
10/2007 |
Criteria for literature search
well defined and reproducible |
Appraisal methods were not described. |
Unclear when recommendation is
based on clinical study evidence or on consensus
opinion. |
Conflicts of interest disclosed.
No other funding source provided. |
Bipolar Disorder |
American Psychiatric Association |
04/2002 (update in 11/2005) |
Criteria for literature search
well defined and reproducible |
Appraisal methods were not described. |
Unclear when recommendation is
based on clinical study evidence or on consensus
opinion. |
Conflicts of interest and/or
funding sources were NOT provided |
Borderline Personality Disorder |
American Psychiatric Association |
10/2001 (update in 03/2005) |
Criteria for literature search
well defined and reproducible |
Appraisal methods were not described. |
Unclear when recommendation is
based on clinical study evidence or on consensus
opinion. |
Conflicts of interest and/or
funding sources were NOT provided |
Eating Disorders |
American Psychiatric Association |
June 2006 |
Criteria for literature search
well defined and reproducible |
Appraisal methods were not described. |
Unclear when recommendation is
based on clinical study evidence or on consensus
opinion. |
Conflicts of interest and/or
funding sources were NOT provided |
Major Depressive Disorder |
American Psychiatric Association |
April 2000 (update in 09/2005) |
Criteria for literature search
well defined and reproducible |
Appraisal methods were not described. |
Unclear when recommendation is
based on clinical study evidence or on consensus
opinion. |
Conflicts of interest and/or
funding sources were NOT provided |
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder |
American Psychiatric Association |
July 2007 |
Criteria for literature search
well defined and reproducible |
Appraisal methods were not described. |
Unclear when recommendation is
based on clinical study evidence or on consensus
opinion. |
Conflicts of interest disclosed.
No other funding source provided. |
PTSD |
American Psychiatric Association |
November 2004 |
Criteria for literature search
well defined and reproducible |
Appraisal methods were not described. |
Unclear when recommendation is
based on clinical study evidence or on consensus
opinion. |
Conflicts of interest and/or
funding sources were NOT provided |
Schizophrenia |
American Psychiatric Association |
February 2004 |
Criteria for literature search
well defined and reproducible |
Appraisal methods were not described. |
Unclear when recommendation is
based on clinical study evidence or on consensus
opinion. |
Conflicts of interest and/or
funding sources were NOT provided |
Substance Use Disorders |
American Psychiatric Association |
August 2006 (Update in 04/2007) |
Criteria for literature search
well defined and reproducible |
Appraisal methods were not described. |
Unclear when recommendation is
based on clinical study evidence or on consensus
opinion. |
Conflicts of interest and/or
funding sources were NOT provided |
Suicidal Behaviors |
American Psychiatric Association |
November 2003 |
Criteria for literature search
well defined and reproducible |
Appraisal methods were not described. |
Unclear when recommendation is
based on clinical study evidence or on consensus
opinion. |
Conflicts of interest and/or
funding sources were NOT provided |
ADHD |
American Academy of Child and
Adolescent Psychiatry |
July 2007 |
Criteria for literature search
vague or not reproducible |
Appraisal methods were not described. |
Unclear when recommendation is
based on clinical study evidence or on consensus
opinion. |
Conflicts of interest disclosed.
No other funding source provided. |
Anxiety Disorders |
American Academy of Child and
Adolescent Psychiatry |
February 2007 |
Criteria for literature search
vague or not reproducible |
Appraisal methods were not described. |
Unclear when recommendation is
based on clinical study evidence or on consensus
opinion. |
Conflicts of interest disclosed.
No other funding source provided. |
Autism/Other Development Disorders |
American Academy of Child and
Adolescent Psychiatry |
December 1999 |
Criteria for literature search
vague or not reproducible |
Appraisal methods were not described. |
Unclear when recommendation is
based on clinical study evidence or on consensus
opinion. |
Conflicts of interest and/or
funding sources were NOT provided |
Bipolar Disorder |
American Academy of Child and
Adolescent Psychiatry |
January 2007 |
Criteria for literature search
vague or not reproducible |
Appraisal methods were not described. |
Unclear when recommendation is
based on clinical study evidence or on consensus
opinion. |
Conflicts of interest disclosed.
No other funding source provided. |
Conduct Disorder |
American Academy of Child and
Adolescent Psychiatry |
October 1997 |
Criteria for literature search
well defined and reproducible |
Appraisal methods were not described. |
Unclear when recommendation is
based on clinical study evidence or on consensus
opinion. |
Conflicts of interest and/or
funding sources were NOT provided |
Depressive Disorders |
American Academy of Child and
Adolescent Psychiatry |
2007 (in press) |
Criteria for literature search
vague or not reproducible |
Appraisal methods were not described. |
Unclear when recommendation is
based on clinical study evidence or on consensus
opinion. |
Conflicts of interest disclosed.
No other funding source provided. |
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder |
American Academy of Child and
Adolescent Psychiatry |
October 1998 |
Criteria for literature search
well defined and reproducible |
Appraisal methods were not described. |
Unclear when recommendation is
based on clinical study evidence or on consensus
opinion. |
Conflicts of interest and/or
funding sources were NOT provided |
Substance Use Disorders |
American Academy of Child and
Adolescent Psychiatry |
June 2005 |
Criteria for literature search
vague or not reproducible |
Appraisal methods were not described. |
Unclear when recommendation is
based on clinical study evidence or on consensus
opinion. |
Conflicts of interest and/or
funding sources were NOT provided |
Suicidal Behaviors |
American Academy of Child and
Adolescent Psychiatry |
July 2001 |
Criteria for literature search
vague or not reproducible |
Appraisal methods were not described. |
Unclear when recommendation is
based on clinical study evidence or on consensus
opinion. |
Conflicts of interest and/or
funding sources were NOT provided |
aRecommendations
are based on a well-defined scientific literature
search.
bWhat
methods were used to critically appraise the
evidence supporting guideline recommendations
and how transparent were they.
cDo the
guidelines clearly state the strength of the evidence
for which recommendations are based.
dAre the
sources of funding listed?
eRecommendations
are given one of three grades: [I] Recommended
with substantial clinical confidence, [II] Recommended
with moderate clinical confidence, or [III] May
be recommended on the basis of individual circumstances. The
criteria for assigning these grades is not transparent. |
These guidelines have been adopted based on nationally
recognized sources. This guideline is based
on the most recent medical evidence or a consensus
on clinical treatment patterns by physicians in the
selected field of practice. Regence adopts guidelines
to help practitioners and members make decisions about
appropriate health care for specific conditions. Guidelines
are not a substitute for professional medical advice.
Benefit determinations should be based in all cases
on the applicable contract language. To the extent
that there are any conflicts between these guidelines
and the contract language, the contract language will
control.