Blue Cross NC Launches New Program for Members With Serious Mental Illness and/or Substance Use Disorder

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC) is excited to announce Behavioral Health (BH) Total Care, a new program offered to Blue Cross NC members with serious mental illness (SMI) and/or substance use disorder (SUD).  

Effective August 25, 2023, BH Total Care will replace Blue Premier Behavioral Health Advanced (BPBHA), a similar SMI/SUD program where services were provided with Mindoula. Recently, Blue Cross NC and Mindoula agreed to terminate their contract for BPBHA; however, Mindoula will remain as an in-network provider with Blue Cross NC for behavioral health care.  

Under BH Total Care, Blue Cross NC members residing in the 14 counties around the Triangle area of North Carolina who were receiving care coordination services with Mindoula will be transitioned to the Blue Cross NC Behavioral Health Care Management organization, who will begin outreach August 25, 2023. IPP Host members (those with Blue Cross plans outside of North Carolina) will work with Mindoula to ensure transition to a behavioral health provider in their area for continuation of care.  

Additionally, Blue Cross NC will expand the number of eligible counties where members can receive this care. Joining the 14 counties around the Triangle are the following counties in the greater Charlotte region: Alexander, Anson, Cabarrus, Catawba, Cleveland, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Rowan, Stanly and Union.

Below is a summary of the care coordination services to be provided through BH Total Care effective August 25, 2023:

• With BH Total Care, the Blue Cross NC Behavioral Health Case Management team will provide support to members who reside in the greater Triangle and greater Charlotte areas.
• Behavioral Health Case Managers will work with members to help them understand their condition, ensure they are actively engaged with behavioral health provider(s) as needed, and help address any social determinants of health that may impede their ability to address their mental health care needs. 
• These services will be provided for Commercial, FEP and Medicare Advantage members.

If you have questions, please email BPBH@bcbsnc.com.