December 2016

Coordination of Care Between Medical and Behavioral Health Providers

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico (BCBSNM) continually strives to promote coordination of member care between medical and behavioral health providers. We understand that communication between providers regarding the treatment and coordination of a patient’s care can pose difficult challenges.

Here are few resources available to you through BCBSNM:

1. The Coordination of Care Form Available Online:

To provide assistance when coordinating care, BCBSNM has created a Coordination of Care form that is available on the BCBSNM provider website.
This new form may help in communicating patient information:

• To provide member treatment information to another treating provider
• To request member treatment information from another treating provider

It is important to note that a written release to share clinical information with the member’s medical provider(s) must be obtained prior to the use of this form. BCBSNM recommends obtaining a written release prior to the onset of treatment.

If you are requesting member treatment information from another provider, it is recommended that the Patient Information and Referring Provider sections of the form be completed in order to expedite the care coordination process for the receiving provider.

The Coordination of Care form is available on the BCBSNM website:

https://www.bcbsnm.com/pdf/forms/coordination-care-form.pdf

2. If you need help finding a Behavioral Health Provider for your patient:

Call the number on the back of the member’s BCBSNM insurance card to receive assistance in finding an outpatient provider or behavioral health facility.

3. Behavioral Health or Medical Case Management Services:

If you believe your patient has complex health needs and could benefit from additional support and resources from a clinician, you can make a referral to one of the BCBSNM Case Management Programs by calling the number on the back of the member’s BCBSNM card. The Case Management programs can also provide you and the member with information about additional resources provided by their insurance plan.