What does treatment of depression really cost?

Abstract

This DataWatch presents estimates of the health care charges for adults who are diagnosed and treated for depression in primary care. More than nine out of ten of these adults sought care for at least one nondepressive illness during the year following treatment initiation. One average, these conditions accounted for more than 70 percent of the total charges. Attempts to manage the costs of caring for depressed persons must consider the impact of nondepressive illness.