Page 17 - Work Force April 2023

Important information for mental health care
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 and 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.
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.
• HMO enrollees contact the telephone
number on the back of your insurance card.
Empire Plan enrollees have access to a 24/7 telemedicine program through Live Health Online to meet the medical and mental health needs of enrollees and dependents
with no out-of-pocket costs. Empire Plan enrollees and dependents can register
for Live Health Online at www.empireblue.com/nys.
• Carelon Behavioral Health (previously Beacon Health Options) is the Empire Plan’s mental health and substance use administrator. Empire Plan enrollees can receive information regarding network providers by outreaching to Carelon’s Clinical Referral Line (1-877-769-7447). In addition to information about network providers, Carelon now offers a new online therapy option through Talkspace, a network of mental health providers offering convenient online therapy, counseling and medication services to Empire Plan enrollees and their dependents. Engaging with a Talkspace therapist is subject to the same copayment that applies to a network in-person visit. For more information, visit https://www.talkspace. com/empireplan.
The Empire Plan’s Clinical
Referral Line provides enrollees and dependents with up to three network providers. As a reminder, clarify your insurance benefits and the patient’s
out-of-pocket responsibilities when scheduling appointments.
• 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, but typically, if not last minute, you can cancel your first appointment if you find something sooner.
• Reach out to your
primary care doctor for recommendations, treatment, and support.
• If you experience an emergency, seek treatment from a hospital emergency room.
State employees have an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) available to them as an additional resource. NYS EAP
can be reached at 1-800-822-0244 or https://oer.ny.gov/eap.
Empire Plan Mental Health and Substance Use Program administrator name change
Beacon Health Options, the administrator for the Empire Plan Mental Health and Substance Use (MHSU) Program, changed its name to Carelon Behavioral Health, Inc. effective March 1, 2023.
This is not a change in MHSU administrators; this is a name change resulting from carrier consolidations and rebranding. Elevance Health (previously known as Anthem) purchased Beacon and formed Carelon.
Empire Plan enrollees will not experience changes to coverage or the level of support because of the name change. To continue receiving the highest level of benefits, Empire Plan enrollees
should call Carelon before seeking mental health or substance use care.
Guaranteed access to network level of benefits continues to be available if you call Carelon’s Clinical Referral Line for assistance in finding a provider and arranging care. You can reach the Clinical Referral line by calling the Empire Plan at 1-877-7-NYSHIP (1-877-769- 7447) and choosing option 3 for the MHSU program, then selecting option 3 from the MHSU Program menu.
The Clinical Referral Line is available 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
April 2023
The Work Force 17