Thank you for your inquiry regarding CMS2v12: Preventive Care and Screening: Screening for Depression and Follow-Up Plan. Per the measure specification, each standardized screening tool provides guidance on whether a particular score is considered positive or negative for depression. Please refer to the guidance provided by the standardized screening tool you are using to determine whether screening results are considered positive or negative.

We would like to get you guidance on what CMS consider as a positive score in PHQ9 Depression Tool that requires a follow up plan. There are 3 depression range for the PHQ9 tool: • Mild Depression • Major Depression • Severe Depression Should we consider all 3 categories as positive scores or it would depend on our own organizations?