Page 17 - Work Force April 2022

Importance of caring for your mental health
WE CAN HELP YOU GET THE MENTAL HEALTH OR SUBSTANCE USE CARE THAT YOU NEED
Empire Plan enrollees and covered dependents who are in need of Mental Health or Substance Use treatment can call Beacon Health Options’ Clinical Referral Line for assistance with finding a network provider and arranging care. You have guaranteed access to in- network benefits when you call the Clinical Referral Line.
The Clinical Referral Line is staffed with highly trained and specialized clinicians in the mental health and substance use treatment fields and
are there to help you find the best care. The clinicians may also help you make an appointment with a quality provider. In an emergency, they can help you decide where to start receiving care.
If you are enrolled in a NYSHIP HMO, please contact your HMO for information related to receiving Mental Health and Substance Use services.
You can reach the Clinical Referral Line by calling the Empire Plan toll free at 1-877-7-NYSHIP and choosing option 3 for the Mental Health and Substance Use
Program, then selecting option 3 from the Mental Health and Substance Use Program menu.
Mental health is an important part of overall health and quality of life that affects how we think, feel, act, make choices and relate to others.
An individual’s mental health includes the emotional, psychological, and social well-being that is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.
Today’s behavioral health issues are far
from simple. When someone’s mental health is compromised, the cause is not always apparent to the individual or those around them. Finding a trustworthy and knowledgeable mental health professional is an important step when receiving treatment.
Below are some tips on finding the right mental health professional.
People have different reasons to consult a mental health professional. You may need a licensed provider who can prescribe medication or perhaps you are primarily looking for a therapist to talk through an issue. It helps to know the provider type you are looking for.
Start by calling your insurer’s telephone number for mental health.
• NYS Empire Plan: 1-877-769-7447 (Beacon Health is Option #3).
• HMO enrollees enrollees: Consult the telephone number on the back of your insurance card.
Request phone numbers of participating professionals in your area. Gather referrals — try to get at least three names and numbers. When you call, clarify your insurance benefits and the patient’s out-of-pocket responsibilities.
If you are reluctant to call, ask a friend or family member to call for you.
• When making an appointment, provide a summary of the situation to the provider so enough time can be blocked for the conversation.
• If there is a lengthy wait time until an open appointment, you could book the appointment and ask to be placed on a waiting list, in the event someone cancels. In the meantime, continue calling other providers for possible earlier openings. Discuss cancellation policies, and if you find an appointment sooner, cancel the initial appointment.
• Reach out to your primary care doctor for recommendations, treatment and support.
• If you experience an emergency, seek treatment from a hospital emergency room.
Initial visits consist of gathering background information and concerns about the situation at hand. Note that therapeutic techniques may vary among providers with the same licensure.
It is reasonable for patients to pose questions of the provider to help determine if a working connection can be built. After a few sessions, if
it does not feel like the right “fit,” or if a provider lacks a particular expertise or experience that you are seeking, continue your search by calling and looking for a provider that best meets your needs.
Empire Plan enrollees can call the Clinical Referral Line through Beacon Health for names of mental health providers. Please see the image on
this page for additional information.
Your health plan may also offer a telemedicine program, which allows you to seek virtual treatment without the need to leave your home. Empire Plan enrollees have a 24/7 Telemedicine program offered through LiveHealth Online that can meet the medical and mental health needs of enrollees and dependents with no out-of-pocket costs. Empire Plan enrollees/dependents can contact LiveHealth Online at 1-888-548-3432.
State employees have an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) available to them as a resource. NYS EAP can be reached at 1-800-822-0244 or https://goer.ny.gov/employee-assistance-program.
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The Clinical Referral Line is available 24 hours a day, every day
of the year.
1-877-7-NYSHIP OPTION 3