AHA supports depression and alcohol screening for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries

The American Hospital Association supports the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid proposal that alcohol screening, depression screening, and behavioral health counseling be included in the preventive services that are offered to Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, according to AHA News Now.

The article states that evidence supports improved health outcomes for those screened and treated for alcohol abuse, and that screening for depression is necessary in order to detect the disease early.

(Source: AHA News Now, http://www.ahanews.com, August 10, 2011)