The latest WHO report spreads light on the top causes of illness and disability and adolescent deaths on a global level.

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WHO Reports Depression as the Top Global
Cause of Illness and Disability for Teens
A depressive disorder is an illness that involves the body,
mood, and thoughts and interferes with
daily life, normal functioning, and
causes pain. According to the Stanford
School of Medicine, over 9 million
American adults suffer from clinical
depression each year. Major depressive
disorder has significant potential morbidity and mortality,
contributing to suicide, incidence and adverse outcomes of
medical illness. With appropriate treatment, 70-80% of
individuals with major depressive disorder can achieve a
significant reduction in symptoms.
The latest report from the World Health Organization (WHO)
finds depression as the major cause of illness and disability in
teenagers worldwide. In its report on adolescent health, the
U.N agency also found that road traffic injuries, HIV/AIDS,
and suicide are the top three causes of death for teenagers.
The report titled 'Health for the World’s Adolescents: A
Second Chance in the Second Decade,' is based on a review of
health policies from 109 countries. The authors not only
studied a variety of published evidence, but also focused on
consultations with children and adolescents from across the
globe, ranging from 10 to 19 years of age.

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The agency has pulled together a wealth of published evidence
with direct consultations with 10 to 19-year-olds around the
world to assess the health issues that affect them.
The report states that in 2012 an estimated 1.3 million
adolescent deaths occurred, most of them from causes that
could have been prevented or treated. Road traffic injuries are
reported to be the leading cause of adolescent deaths globally
and the second cause of illness and disability.
The report also points to significant progress since 2000 in
reducing deaths resulting from complications of pregnancy and
childbirth among adolescents, particularly in regions where
maternal mortality rates are highest.
“If adolescents with mental health problems get the care they
need, this can prevent deaths and avoid suffering throughout
life," the WHO says in the release. The agency also notes that
teenage years are a critical time for laying the foundations of
good health in adulthood. Many health-related behaviors and
conditions behind major chronic diseases start during this
period of life.
The report is expected to help provide high-level attention on
the health needs of 10 to 19-year-olds and serve as a
springboard for accelerated action on adolescent health.

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Reliable Mental Health Services – Vital in Terms of Timely
Care Provision
The importance of reliable mental health services can never be
overemphasized. Mental health services are reimbursed, when
providers submit medical claims with the accurate diagnosis
and procedure codes. Psychiatry billing involves the correct
use of relevant ICD diagnosis codes and CPT Procedure
Codes.
ICD-9-CM
• 311 Depressive disorder, not elsewhere classified
• 296.2 Major depressive disorder single episode
• 296.30 Major depressive affective disorder, recurrent
episode, unspecified
ICD-10-CM
• F32.3 Major depressive disorder, single episode, severe
with psychotic features
• F32.9 Major depressive disorder, single episode,
unspecified
• F33.9 Major depressive disorder, recurrent, unspecified
Medical billing may be challenging for mental health services
that include the following:
• Screening and treatment of the mental health problem
• Case management and coordination
• Consultation with other service providers
• Use of telemedicine for providing services
• Outreach and education.

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Psychiatry medical billing also involves the correct use of
Evaluation and Management (E&M) CPT codes such as 99201
– 99205 or 99215 that is to be reported along with the ICD
code in a depression claim. Providers offering mental health
services will find the support of a reliable medical billing and
coding company immensely helpful.