How do I get mental health and substance use disorder services?

Who is this for?

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Blue Care Network members under age 65.

Blue Care Network plans cover or help pay for mental health and substance use disorder services. They’re part of your behavioral health coverage.

Here’s how to get those services, and find out what services are included in your benefits.

Guidelines for getting help

The National Committee for Quality Assurance, or NCQA, recommends following these time frames when you need mental health and substance use disorder services. 

Get help:

  • Immediately for a life-threatening emergency. Call 911 or go to the emergency room
  • Within six hours for emergencies that aren’t life-threatening, but immediate attention is required
  • Within 48 hours for urgent care, when it’s not life-threatening but face-to-face contact is required
  • Within 10 days for routine office visits

Help is just a phone call away. Call 1-800-482-5982, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. TTY users should call 711.  You don’t have to talk to your PCP first.

A care manager will evaluate your needs and help with referrals for services.

What’s covered

You can get this information in your member account using our website or the Blue Cross mobile app. Just look under My Coverage.

Services are listed in two groups, mental health and substance use disorder. You can find out:

  • If you have a copay or coinsurance
  • How many days or visits your plan will help pay for
  • What services require prior authorization by your plan

You can also look in the member handbook we sent you in the mail. If you need help finding it or have questions, call the Customer Service number on the back of your Blue Care Network ID card.