In bivariate regression analyses, greater performance of care management processes was strongly associated with higher quality of depression care, including the degree to which patients received and adhered to appropriate anti-depressant and psychotherapy regimens. Performance also related to improved levels of patient knowledge, probable depression, and active coping. When nursing assessment, proactive follow-up, and other self-management support processes were included together in regression analyses, the number of follow-up contacts had the greatest effect on patient outcomes (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Practices assisted in implementing collaborative care models for depression achieved varying levels of adherence to the care management design. Of all the processes studied, the amount of proactive follow-up had the strongest effect on care and outcomes.