Mental Health Access Center overview

In most cases, members should be referred to their primary care providers or personal physicians for medical care or initial assessment of mental health concerns. Personal physicians will refer to the Mental Health Access Center (MHAC) for specialty care if needed. Mental Health Access Center provides and authorizes payment for mental health care, including addiction and recovery, that is medically necessary and covered by the member's medical coverage agreement. Eligible members initiate service by contacting the Mental Health Access Center.

Other support service available is Mind Phone.

Obtaining services

We collaborate to effectively coordinate member care with our contracted mental health practitioners following administrative requirements that are designed to meet regulatory standards. The following pages describe our Behavioral Health Services administrative requirements:

• Obtaining outpatient mental health care
• Mental health medication and service requests
• Mental health appeals