Blue Shield Promise is committed to finding ways to better support youth mental health, particularly during these times when many are dealing with COVID-19, and health and social disparities, among other issues. Through Blue Shield of California’s BlueSky initiative, behavioral needs are accessed in two key ways:
Blue Shield Promise Medi-Cal gives members mental health and substance use disorder services. They do this through primary care physicians (PCPs) and licensed behavioral health providers. They also work with county providers and agencies. For our licensed behavioral health providers, we partner with Beacon Health Options. We also have behavioral health treatment services for children under the age of 21.
Mental health services include, but are not limited to treatment for:
See your Member Handbook (Evidence of Coverage) for a list of covered mental health services.
Beacon Health Options has mental health services for members:
Phone:(877) 344-2858 [TTY: 711], 8 a.m. – 8 p.m., Monday through Friday
For more mental health services, including substance use disorder treatment, call the Department of Mental Health:
Los Angeles County:
Phone: (800) 854-7771 [TTY: 711], 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health website
San Diego County:
Phone: (888) 724-7240 [TTY: 711], 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
San Diego County Behavioral Health Services website
Blue Shield Promise Medi-Cal covers behavioral health treatment (BHT) for individuals under the age of 21. This includes applied behavioral analysis (ABA) and other evidence-based treatments. If this is something you would like to know more about, please schedule an appointment with your child’s primary care physician today.
Blue Shield Promise Medi-Cal offers alcohol misuse services as a covered benefit. This is for all members ages 18 and older. These services are provided by PCPs and cover risky alcohol use:
Should you need more services, you can call your county agency to ask about longer treatment. You can do this without a referral from your PCP. The county services also cover other substance use disorders.
Department of Health Care Services Substance Use Resource Center
Phone: (800) 879-2772 (TTY: 711) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Los Angeles County Substance Abuse Service
Substance Abuse Service Helpline: (844) 804-7500 (TTY 711), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Substance Abuse, Prevention and Control website
San Diego County Substance Use Disorder Services
Substance Use Disorder Services Access and Crisis Line: (888) 724-7240 (TTY: 711), 24 hours a day, 7 days week
San Diego County Behavioral Health Services website
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