Here’s What Blue Cross is Doing to Support Our Members’ Mental Health Needs
Blue Daily
| 3 min read
Key Takeaways
- BCBSM is expanding behavioral healthcare access through virtual therapy, provider networks and crisis care options.
- Collaborative Care connects behavioral health services with primary care, helping members receive earlier, coordinated and evidence-based support.
- Members can access mental health resources ranging from ongoing therapy and counseling to specialized services during behavioral health crises.
Mental health is key to good overall health. Whether you're managing everyday stress, living with anxiety or depression, or helping a loved one through a behavioral health crisis, getting the right support at the right time can make a difference.
Just as we continue developing solutions to keep healthcare affordable, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan continues investing in programs and services designed to make behavioral healthcare more accessible, convenient and comprehensive for members. From virtual therapy to collaborative care to crisis care, these resources can help you find the care that's right for you.
Expanding access to licensed mental health professionals
One of the biggest barriers to receiving mental healthcare is simply finding an available provider. Even finding a mental health provider can be so overwhelming for some people that they may give up before even being connected to one, let alone the provider that is the best fit for them.
Blue Cross addressed this challenge by expanding our behavioral health network and adding thousands of licensed therapists. We’ve had a 47% increase in behavioral health providers to the Blue Cross network over the past two years. Members with eligible coverage can connect with a licensed therapist by phone or video from the comfort of home, making it easier to fit care into their busy schedules. Virtual therapy has been a gamechanger for many members, especially those who may face long wait times or transportation challenges.
Strengthening whole-person health through Collaborative Care
Blue Cross also continues working with healthcare providers across Michigan to integrate behavioral health services into primary care practices through its Collaborative Care program. This approach helps patients receive mental health screenings and referrals in a familiar setting, often leading to earlier treatment and better coordination between physical and behavioral healthcare.
This approach reduces delays in care, improves communication between providers and helps members access timely, evidence-based behavioral health support when they need it most.
Providing support during a behavioral health crisis
Not every mental health concern requires an emergency room visit, but some situations need more immediate attention than a routine therapy appointment.
That's why Blue Cross offers members access to a growing network of behavioral health crisis services throughout Michigan. Depending on an individual's needs, available services may include:
- Psychiatric urgent care
- Mobile crisis teams that can respond in the community
- Crisis stabilization programs
- Short-term residential crisis treatment
These options are designed to provide timely, specialized care in the most appropriate setting while helping individuals transition to ongoing treatment once the immediate crisis has passed. Recent expansion efforts have increased access to mobile, virtual and in-person crisis care across Michigan.
If you or a loved one is experiencing a behavioral health emergency or crisis, immediate help is available. Get the right help for a mental health or substance use crisis by visiting our crisis care support directory at this link.
Helping members find the right care
Mental health needs exist on a spectrum, and finding the right starting point can sometimes feel overwhelming. Whether you need ongoing counseling, guidance during a stressful time or are seeking immediate crisis support, our growing list of tools and programs are designed to make navigating behavioral health care easier.
Learn more about mental health and options you have as a member to seek help at bcbsm.com/mentalhealth.
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