Funding mechanisms for depression care management: opportunities and challenges

There is overwhelming evidence that depression care management works well for patients and is a cost effective treatment. However, inconsistent third-party reimbursement for depression care management is a significant economic barrier to utilization and sustainability in primary care settings. Seven funding mechanisms, mostly under-utilized and not widely publicized, are described. While substantial obstacles remain in the way of fully implementing these depression care management funding mechanisms, several recent policy advancements provide some optimism for the potential adoption of financial mechanisms to support and disseminate these evidence-based practices.