Independence Blue Cross (IBX) recognizes the importance of addressing mental health in primary care to support whole-person health. Coordinating with behavioral health specialists can enhance your ability to provide comprehensive, patient-centered care that improves safety, identifies risks, and supports treatment adherence.
Support and resources for your patients
For IBX services:
- You can refer your patients (our members) to an IBX Registered Nurse Health Coach or Licensed Social Worker by completing the online
Case and Condition Management Physician Referral Form or calling 1-800-313-8628 and selecting prompt 2.
- Members can call the number on the back of their member ID card to reach our Behavioral Health Care Navigation team for assistance with finding appropriate care.
- Information about available behavioral health services for our members is available on the
IBX website. Resources are available for children, adults, specialty behavioral health conditions (e.g., eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and bipolar disorder), and addiction support.
For 24/7 emergency support:
-
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. For free, confidential support,
call or text 988.
-
Crisis Text Line. To connect with a Crisis Counselor,
text HOME to 741741.
For patients seeking local crisis and mental health services in the Philadelphia five-county area:
Discussing coordination with your patients
You must obtain and document patient consent prior to exchanging patient personal information and discussing patient health care with other providers, including behavioral health specialists.
We encourage you to explain to your patients the benefits of coordinated medical and behavioral health care, outlining what information will be shared and how it supports their overall health management.
Coordinating with behavioral health services
For patients with complex behavioral health needs, we encourage you to discuss behavioral health services with them or their caregivers. When appropriate, refer them to specialists and follow-up on care received from other providers.
Regular communication with behavioral health providers is key to effective care management. Shared information may include:
- Management of medications and treatments, especially:
- Clinical risks (e.g., antipsychotics, which may increase risk for metabolic syndrome);
- Polypharmacy and medication interactions; and
- Side effects that could influence compliance with care.
- Coordination of ordering tests and monitoring results;
- Interactions between behavioral health and medical conditions;
- Influence of behavioral health stressors on medical symptoms; and
- Influence of social determinants on health outcomes.
Remember to document each communication with your patient's other providers in their medical record.
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