For children and teens, timely follow-up and careful monitoring of behavioral health medications can make a lasting difference in their overall well-being and development. Three key Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS^®) measures (see box to the right) play a critical role in identifying care gaps, supporting early intervention, and improving long-term outcomes for youth with behavioral health conditions.

These measures help ensure that children and adolescents receiving psychotropic medications are closely monitored for side effects, treatment adherence, and comorbid conditions. According to the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), these measures are essential for identifying at-risk youth, improving medication management, and preventing complications such as cardiovascular and metabolic issues linked to antipsychotic use in young populations.¹

Additionally, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) emphasizes the need for regular follow-up and metabolic screening to mitigate the long-term risks associated with psychotropic prescribing practices.

Ways you can support children and adolescents:

• Order baseline and follow-up metabolic labs (glucose and cholesterol) when initiating or continuing antipsychotic medications. Consider using standing lab orders or bundled care pathways. 
• Set reminders or care team flags to prompt lab orders at appropriate intervals during medication management visits.
• Schedule follow-up visits within 30 days of prescribing an antipsychotic medication to assess response, monitor side effects, and engage caregivers.
• Schedule the follow-up visit for 30 days after the initial ADHD prescription before the patient leaves the office; this visit is essential to meet the “initiation phase” requirement.
• Use care coordinators or patient navigators to remind patients about upcoming follow-up appointments.

By focusing on these measures, you can promote positive outcomes for children and adolescents. Supporting these quality goals not only benefits patient health and recovery, but it also strengthens system performance and satisfaction across the healthcare continuum.

Find more information about behavioral health HEDIS measures at www.ncqa.org/hedis.

References:

1. NCQA HEDIS Measures Library. Retrieved from: https://www.ncqa.org/hedis/measures
2. Practice Parameters for the use of Atypical Antipsychotic Medications in children and adolescents. American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) Guidelines. Retrieved from: https://www.aacap.org/App_Themes/AACAP/docs/practice_parameters/Atypical_antipsychotic_Medications_Web.pdf
3. Prescribing Guidelines for Second-Generation Antipsychotics. Retrieved from: https://www.magellanprovider.com/media/11780/guidelines_atypicalantipsychotics.pdf