April is National Alcohol Awareness Month. Founded and sponsored by the National Council on Alcohol and Drug Dependence (NCADD), Alcohol Awareness Month was established in 1987 to help reduce the stigma associated with alcohol use disorder. NCADD promotes public awareness related to alcohol use disorders each April by providing education related to alcohol use and paths to recovery.
BCBSRI encourages all primary care providers to universally screen for substance use disorders using the Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) model. SBIRT is an evidence-based practice used to identify, reduce, and prevent problematic use, abuse, and dependence on alcohol and illicit drugs. SBIRT consists of three major components:
- Screening – A healthcare professional assesses a patient for risky substance use behaviors using standardized screening tools.
- Brief Intervention – A healthcare professional engages a patient showing risky substance use behaviors in a short conversation, providing feedback and advice.
- Referral to Treatment – A healthcare professional provides a referral to brief therapy or additional treatment to patients who screen in need of additional services.
Screening for substance use disorders using the SBIRT model is a reimbursable service. Please refer to the following policies for details:
BCBSRI has several supports and programs in place for our members who may be struggling with substance use disorders:
CODAC medication assisted treatment (MAT) program
This is an outpatient Buprenorphine/Naloxone or Buprenorphine program offered by CODAC, a substance use disorder treatment facility. BCBSRI has partnered with Rhode Island’s first Center of Excellence (COE) for the treatment of opioid dependence to provide comprehensive medication-assisted treatment-related services to BCBSRI commercial members to facilitate recovery. The goal of the program is to offer structured and intensive treatment, including medication-assisted treatment such as Suboxone, nursing, counseling, and case management services that ultimately lead to recovery and the ability to maintain recovery in a less intensive treatment program.
If you wish to refer someone to the program, please contact CODAC at (401) 461-5056.
Peer recovery coaches
BCBSRI offers peer recovery coaching services to our commercial and Medicare Advantage populations. Peer recovery coaching is a SAMHSA-recognized tool that facilitates recovery and reduces healthcare costs. Peer recovery coaches are individuals in recovery themselves who have been through extensive training to provide support to their peers. Recovery coaches do not diagnose or treat addiction, but rather serve as a bridge to substance use services and community supports.
To learn more about peer recovery coaching, visit any of our network peer recovery providers’ websites:
You can also contact Rosaly Cuevas, BCBSRI behavioral health program manager, at (401) 459-5228 or rosaly.cuevas@bcbsri.org.
How do I connect a patient to behavioral health services?
The behavioral health system can be confusing and overwhelming for your patients to navigate. As BCBSRI continues to expand our continuum of services for behavioral health, we realize that providers may have questions regarding the types of services available for their patients. There are several ways to learn more about behavioral health benefits and services:
- The Provider Call Center [(401) 274-4848 or 1-800-230-9050)] can answer questions regarding a member’s benefits, including member liability for services. They can also assist if you are simply looking for a participating behavioral health provider. You can also search for a behavioral health provider on bcbsri.com.
- The Beacon Health Options (Beacon) Clinical Referral Line is available 24/7 and is answered by clinical behavioral health staff. This resource can assist you in identifying a behavioral health provider, as well as providing support and guidance. The Clinical Referral Line should not be used if there is concern of imminent danger, but can be a first point of contact in non-emergency situations. The clinician, who may be a registered nurse, independently licensed social worker, or a mental health counselor, will ask questions to get a better understanding of your patient’s needs. The clinician will provide you with information about services that are available and will offer the names and contact information for providers who offer these services. You can contact the Clinical Referral Line at 1-800-274-2958. You may also share this number with your patients if they prefer to contact Beacon themselves.
- The Beacon Health Options Intensive Case Management Program can assist your patients in effectively managing their behavioral health conditions. Independently licensed behavioral health clinicians will work with your patient to:
- Help them understand barriers that prevent them from getting the most from their treatment or in obtaining recommended treatment.
- Help them find and obtain services or resources needed to better manage their behavioral health condition.
- Provide education and support to help them better manage their condition.
- Coordinate care with providers to ensure you and your patient have the necessary information to provide them with the best care and support.
- Work with them to ensure they know the medications they should be taking and understand the instructions you’ve provided to them.
To refer a patient to the Intensive Case Management Program, please call 1-800-274-2958, option 1.
You may also use our automated referral form at bcbsri.com by following these easy steps:
1. Log on to the provider portal of bcbsri.com.
2. Click on “Tools and Resources.”
3. Click on “Forms.”
4. Click on “Case Management Request.”
5. Complete the required fields and click “Go”!
Behavioral Health Link (BH Link)
BH Link is a statewide resource available to all commercial members that provides immediate crisis intervention services. BH Link also connects individuals with ongoing treatment and care through their professional team of nurses, counselors, psychiatrists, and peer specialists through their 24/7 statewide call center and/or their 24/7 triage center, where individuals can walk in to receive stabilizing emergency behavioral health services and be connected to long-term care and recovery support.
For more information about BH Link, please contact the BH Link Hotline at (401) 414-LINK (5465).
Opioid treatment programs
BCBSRI offers opioid treatment programs to our commercial and Medicare Advantage members. For more information, call any of the programs:
- CODAC – (401) 490-0716
- Addiction Recovery Institute – (401) 725-2520
- BHG Pawtucket Treatment Center – (401) 727-1287
- The Journey to Hope – 1-877-400-4673
- VICTA – (401) 300-5757