2026 MIPS Measure #366: Follow-Up Care for Children Prescribed ADHD Medication

Percentage of children 6-12 years of age and newly prescribed a medication for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) who had appropriate follow-up care. Two rates are reported.
a) Percentage of children who had one follow-up visit with a practitioner with prescribing authority during the 30-Day Initiation Phase.
b) Percentage of children who remained on ADHD medication for at least 210 days and who, in addition to the visit in the Initiation Phase, had at least two additional follow-up visits with a practitioner within 270 days (9 months) after the Initiation Phase ended.

ADHD is one of the more common chronic conditions of childhood. Children with ADHD may experience significant functional problems, such as school difficulties; academic underachievement; troublesome relationships with family members and peers; and behavioral problems (AAP, 2019). Given the high prevalence of ADHD among school-aged children (11 percent), primary care clinicians will regularly encounter children with ADHD and should have a strategy for diagnosing and long-term management of this condition (Visser et al., 2014). Reports indicate that the use of ADHD medication among children rose 28 percent between 2007 and 2011 (Visser et al., 2014).

Practitioners can convey the efficacy of pharmacotherapy to their patients. American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guidelines recommend that once a child is stable, an office visit every three to six months allows assessment of learning and behavior (AAP, 2019). Follow-up appointments should be made at least monthly until the child’s symptoms have been stabilized (AACAP, 2007).

Providers have an opportunity to track medication use in patients and provide the appropriate follow-up care to monitor clinical symptoms and potential adverse events.