Mental Health Month, observed every May, is a good opportunity to remind the UC community that all of UC’s medical plans include benefits for mental health services and substance abuse treatment – because mental health is critical to overall well-being.
Members can use their behavioral health benefits for sessions with counselors, psychologists or psychiatrists – either in-person or, in many cases, using telemental health services.
With telemental health services, members can consult with a licensed behavioral health provider via online video or over the phone. To manage ongoing care, members schedule follow-up appointments and receive prescriptions through an online portal. Costs are comparable to those of in-network appointments, and consultations are often available sooner than office visits — even on evenings, weekends or holidays.
Is telemental health right for you?
If you are in crisis or have suicidal thoughts, it’s important that you seek help immediately. In an emergency, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.
For less urgent concerns, the choice to seek help through telemental health services rather than in a traditional office setting is personal. Some people prefer to develop a relationship with a provider through face-to-face sessions. Others appreciate the option to access care without having to find transportation, take time off work or find childcare. The good news is that research has shown telemental health services to be as effective as, and in some cases even more effective than the typical face-to-face model of care (see, for example, this review of telepsychiatry outcomes in the World Journal of Psychiatry, 2016, volume 22).
Many of UC’s medical plans offer telemental health options for eligible members through specialized telehealth providers such as Teladoc or 1DocWay. Contact your plan’s telemental health provider, listed below, to sign up for an account and learn more about the service.
Some behavioral health network providers may also offer telemental health visits in addition to their in-office services. Ask your current provider or contact your plan for more information.
| Plan | Cost | Provider and contact info |
|---|---|---|
| CORE UC Care UC Health Savings Plan |
UC Care: No charge for first three routine office or telemental health visits; $20 copayment for each of your following visits CORE and UC HSP (subject to deductible and OOP): Until deductible is met, $95 for a psychologist; $80 for a therapist. After deductible has been met, $19 for a psychologist; $16 for a therapist. |
Live Health Online 1-844-784-8409 |
| UC Blue & Gold (Health Net) | No charge for telemental health services through Teladoc. Otherwise, no charge for first three routine office or telemental health visits; $20 copayment for each of your following visits | Teladoc 1-800-835-2362 |
| Kaiser Permanente | No charge for first three routine office or telemental health visits; $20 copayment for each of your following visits | Call your local Kaiser medical center to make an appointment; some providers offer phone or video appointments. You don’t need a referral. |
| Optum (Kaiser Permanente or Western Health Advantage) |
No charge for first three routine office or telemental health visits; $20 copayment for each of your following visits |
Liveandworkwell.com (access code: 11280), select find a virtual visit provider 1DOCWay |