Behavioral Health Services Reminder

Behavioral health referral and management services now are available to some employer group health plans with Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Health Advantage, and a number of plans administered by BlueAdvantage Administrators of Arkansas. If you receive a new ID card with a mental health assistance telephone number, your plan includes these services.

A customer service staff trained to help with the special requirements of accessing behavioral health services is available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, to assist in explaining benefits and available services, selecting a mental health provider and gaining access to needed services.

For assistance, please call toll free 1-877-801-1159. (This telephone number will be on the back of your health plan ID card if this service is available to you.)

Please be aware that you have some new responsibilities in order to make best use of your behavioral health benefits. These responsibilities are:

• Calling 1-877-801-1159 (or ensuring that your mental health provider has made the call) for prior authorization of any outpatient mental health visits after the 8th session.
• Calling the number above (or ensuring that the inpatient facility does so) prior to any inpatient mental health/substance abuse inpatient stay.
• Check your benefits certificate for full details on any excluded mental health/substance abuse services.

To find out if your health plan includes modifications for behavioral health, you can contact your human resources administrator, check our Web sites and review your benefits information on My Blueprint, or call the customer service number on your health plan ID card. We love to hear from you!