At Blue Shield of California, we know that your behavioral health is an integral part of your overall wellbeing. That’s why we’re making changes to achieve a member experience that is focused on your whole health.

Currently, Blue Shield’s Mental Health Service Administrator (MHSA) manages behavioral health services through its network of providers for some Blue Shield members including all members receiving applied behavioral analysis (ABA) services.  

Beginning January 1, 2026, Blue Shield will directly manage the behavioral health benefit for all of our members including those receiving ABA services. With Blue Shield Behavioral Health, members have access to an expanded, quality network of behavioral health providers.

Our goal is to offer a simpler, member-focused experience. This centralization effort allows for better coordination of care between primary care physicians, specialists, and behavioral health providers.

 

Continuing care

This change will not affect members’ existing plan benefits or the ability to get or continue necessary care.

To ensure a smooth transition, impacted members will be notified if their provider will no longer be considered “in-network” beginning January 1, 2026. Members who receive this notice have the right to request continuation of care with their current provider for certain health conditions. Learn more about our Continuity of Care process.*

Impacted Medicare Advantage members

Contact Customer Care to request continuation of care coverage. Call the Customer Service number on your Blue Shield member ID card.  All continuing care decisions will be made based on current Medicare guidelines.

 

Trying to find a behavioral health provider?

If you are in immediate danger or thinking about harming yourself, call or text 988 which is available 24/7, free and confidential.

Search for providers. If you need help finding behavioral health support, Find a doctor can help you search for in-network providers covered by your benefit plan.

If you can’t find the provider or service you’re looking for — or want help choosing the right type of care — call the Mental Health Customer Services number on the back of your ID card.

Self-guided resources. Check out self-assessments, articles, videos, and podcasts to help you address concerns like anxiety, stress, work, and parenting.

 

Tips for finding the right provider using Find a doctor

  • Pick the location where you will be accessing care. Virtual providers are available statewide. To search for virtual providers, please enter the zip code where the provider group is headquartered, not your own zip code. See a list of virtual provider companies and their zip codes.

  • Pick your specific benefit plan, or sign-in using your Blue Shield member login information before searching so your results only show in-network providers for your benefit plan in your location.

  • If you’re searching by provider, specialty or condition, start with broad categories and then use additional filters to narrow your results. For example, search for “anxiety” and then filter by population served, language, clinical focus, or provider preference.

  • View a step-by-step guide

    • If you’re not looking for a specific provider, but looking for medical groups that meet your needs, search for specialty or condition and then use the medical group drop down. For example, Search “Applied Behavior Analysis” or “ABA,” then filter by age, and pick the drop down under medical group

    • If the key word you picked is not working, try a related key word. For example, if “alcoholism” doesn’t work, try “substance use disorder,” “detox,” or “medication assisted treatment.”

 

*This Continuity of Care process applies to all plans except for Medi-Cal and Medicare. If you have questions, please call the Customer Service number on your Blue Shield ID member card.

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