January 2019

Behavioral Health Screening Resources for the Primary Care Setting

As you know, depression can have a significant impact on a patient’s overall health. Now, more than ever, behavioral health is being addressed by primary care providers (PCPs) in a primary care setting. According to a recent Psychology Today article, behavioral health experts recognize PCPs as the front line to treat these issues. “About one-third of people with a mental health issue use primary care as their only source of treatment. Consequently, primary care physicians are our front line to address behavioral health problems. At the same time, primary care providers are already extremely busy and tied to 15-minute patient appointments in our current reimbursement models.”  

Behavioral Health Resources
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas would like to bring attention to resources that may help PCPs treat their patients’ behavioral health issues.

• Texas Health and Human Services: mentalhealthtx.org has resources, training, educational materials and community offerings to help patients.
• Texas Health Steps: Components for mental health screenings and screening forms
• Magellan Healthcare^SM: Behavioral Health Toolkit for Medical Providers

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) contracts with Magellan Behavioral Health, Inc. (“Magellan”), an independent company, to administer BCBSTX’s managed mental health program.