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 (Guideline Watch 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 (Guideline Watch 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 |
May 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 11/2010) |
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 (Guideline Watch
update in March 2009) |
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 (Guideline Watch
update in November 2009) |
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 (Guideline Watch
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 |
November 2010 |
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 takes
precedence.