family playing together

Mental Health

 

Accessing Behavioral Health Care Services

Effective Jan. 1, 2023, our behavioral health partner is Optum. Behavioral health services from WHA include a full spectrum of managed mental health and substance use disorder services. WHA members can call Optum directly, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. A referral from a primary care physician (PCP) is not required — get started by searching the online directory to find a provider.

Highlights of Optum's services include:

  • Virtual and in-person outpatient therapy with access to 5,500 providers plus virtual providers nationwide – including Express Access providers who guarantee an appointment within five (5) days

  • Medication-assisted treatment with thousands of providers – including an increase to 26 mental health and 29 substance use disorder inpatient facilities, as well as specialty case management for substance use disorder, child and adolescent care, eating disorders, geriatric, specialized mental illness, and ABA therapy

  • Care guidance, programs, and self-service tools can be found through Optum's Live and Work Well portal; follow these links to get started: as a Group/Individual Plan Member or a Medicare Advantage Plan Member

Mental health needs are diverse and getting care can be confusing. Optum provides a good overview and digital tools, view this brief video for guidance.

Transitioning Care

While a great majority of providers, therapists, psychiatrists, and clinics are currently available to WHA members through the Optum network, there may be instances where a member may need to change their preferred service provider. We are committed to doing everything in our power to ease this transition.

If a member is currently undergoing an active or chronic course of treatment with a provider, check that they are in the Optum network for uninterrupted care. If a provider is not available to see WHA members in 2023, under certain circumstances, you or your affected family member(s) may be eligible to continue receiving services from this provider for a limited period of time as you transition to an Optum contracted provider. To do so, please complete our Continuity of Care request form and call Optum to ensure you have the care you need. 

For assistance obtaining mental help benefits coverage information, provider access and claims processing information, or regarding the transition to Optum, call WHA Member Services at 888.563.2250 or send a secure message.

In Case of a Mental Health Emergency 

If you or your family member has a mental health or substance abuse problem that is an emergency seriously threatening your life or health, get help at once. You should do one of these things:

  • Call 911

  • Go directly to an emergency room

  • Call your doctor or therapist for help

If your emergency results in an inpatient admission, you or your provider must notify WHA, as soon as it is reasonably possible, in order to pre-certify your care.

Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: People can now call or text “988” or chat at 988lifeline.org for themselves or if they are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support. This lifeline is available for members who may be experiencing any type of mental health-related distress or suicidal crisis. The lifeline is available 24/7.

Other Resources

If you have been affected by a natural disaster, we're here to help: See Emergency Resources