BCBSRI’s mission is clear: To improve our members’ health and peace of mind by facilitating their access to affordable, high-quality healthcare. To ensure we keep that promise and make it as easy as possible for ALL members to get the care they need, we’ve recently removed barriers to expand access to behavioral healthcare.
Over the last few years, behavioral health—and behavioral healthcare—have moved to the forefront of the healthcare landscape in Rhode Island. Issues including the opioid epidemic, and substance use disorders in general, are part of the reason we’ve stepped up our efforts to address these issues head-on. And a key part of that is increasing access to behavioral health resources to facilitate conversation about this important issue.
Last year, we announced two key investments that were intended to remove barriers for members who need behavioral health services. First, we now provide (as of January 1, 2019) coverage for all mental health and substance use disorder office visits, including medication-assisted treatment (MAT), at a copay that is consistent with primary care copays. Second, last summer we removed the required pre-approval for in-network mental health or substance use disorder services.
In addition, in last month’s Provider Update, we announced an important new partnership we’ve begun with Dr. James Andriotis of Child and Family Psychiatry in Cranston to provide increased access to psychiatry services for children and adolescents. Child and Family Psychiatry will now provide urgent appointments for BCBSRI pediatric members in need of an evaluation with a child and adolescent psychiatrist. Dr. Andriotis has extensive experience treating pediatric psychiatric patients.
Lastly, we’re creating conversations around behavioral health with our Rhode to Health podcasts, which began last year. If you’re not familiar with them, you can bookmark the site and check it often for regular podcasts about important healthcare topics presented by BCBSRI subject matter experts in partnership with key community and industry partners. We’ve presented podcasts about behavioral health, in which we’ve identified local resources and programs where our members can connect with treatment for mental health and substance use disorders.
BCBSRI recognizes the public health crisis that is facing Rhode Island right now, and we’re committed to working with our providers and the healthcare community to become part of the solution for our members and our state.