Blue Cross Behavioral Health^SM

The Blue Cross Behavioral Health^SM portfolio provides innovative, integrated, whole-person care for members while addressing barriers to care.

We’re invested in strengthening care outcomes for all those we serve. We do this by:

• Reducing stigma
• Improving education and access
• Minimizing cost barriers
• Increasing quality standards

Whether it’s talking through everyday stress or crisis assistance, your employees have options. 

Improving access to care

The Blue Cross Behavioral Health network is growing. We’ve had a 47% increase in behavioral health providers to the Blue Cross network over the past two years.

Your employees can connect with a behavioral health professional online or in-person to receive care:

• Many providers offer 1:1 in-person care along with a virtual care option. Your employees can find a provider using our Find a Doctor tool to find the right care.
• Virtual behavioral health services through Blue Cross Online Visits℠ allow for a confidential session with a licensed therapist or board-certified psychiatrist. This is a buy-up for self-funded groups.
• AbleTo is a virtual national provider that offers a structured cognitive behavioral therapy program for the treatment of anxiety and depression.
• Quartet connects members with outpatient behavioral health providers through an online platform. Fully insured members, 18 and up, in the state of Michigan can use Quartet’s SmartMatch to find the right provider at no cost.
• Blue Cross has partnered with community organizations in Michigan to manage urgent behavioral health needs. We offer psychiatric urgent care, mobile crisis, crisis stabilization and crisis residential services.

Collaborative Care Model

This model enhances the coordination between specialties and building trusted provider relationships. We expanded to pediatric practices in 2021 and then in 2023 to the perinatal population and those with substance abuse disorders.

Blue Cross continues to increase access to high quality substance use disorder treatment.

• Blue Cross has designated Blue Distinction Centers for Substance Use Treatment and Recovery facilities around the country. These facilities provide patient safety and better health outcomes based on objective measures.
• Blue Cross has expanded access to medication-assisted treatment, or MAT, for opioid use disorder treatment. Blue Cross provides trainings and has expanded access to substance use treatment, maternity and emergency departments across Michigan.

Pharmacy integration

Pharmacy coverage is a key component of behavioral health care and treatment. Currently, all classes of antidepressants, mood stabilizers and antipsychotics are available.

Utilization management

Our utilization management programs ensure members receive the right level of care and services.

• Blue Cross Coordinated Care™ provides personalized care management and guidance to address our members’ whole health needs.
• Blue Cross provides help and increased awareness about the safe use of opioid prescriptions. We’ve launched initiatives to prevent prescription abuse of opioids. This includes quantity limits, overdose outreach and medication safety campaigns. 

We know mental health and wellness doesn't stop when a therapy appointment or a phone call ends. Our well-being resources, including webinars designed to help your employees improve their lifestyle, regulate their emotions and gain new perspectives on life.

• Your employees can also get mental health support by using myStrength by Livongo® to access a wide variety of self-guided tools, video modules and text-based engagement coaching to help them cope with everyday stressors, chronic pain, depression and anxiety.
• Blue Cross Virtual Well-Being℠ weekly employer and member-focused webinars
• Blue Cross Health & Well-Being℠  is the primary well-being component for your employees.  It is available on both desktop and the mobile app. 

We support diverse health populations through community-based partnerships and programs and ensure we're following public policies.