WHA’s Transition to Optum for Behavioral Health Services, starting January 1, 2023
We’re pleased to share that our transition to Optum as our behavioral health partner for mental health and substance use disorders is on track for January 1, 2023. This move to Optum expands the network of behavioral health providers available to WHA members, as well as extensive online access to tools and resources, and an easy-to-use provider directory to choose a qualified behavioral health professional.
With Optum, WHA members have expanded resources and member access through a digital portal, including:
- Virtual and in-person outpatient therapy with access to 5,500 providers + 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 & Adolescent care, Eating Disorders, Geriatric, Specialized Mental illness, and ABA therapy
- Effective January 1, 2023, care guidance through a digital portal named "Live and Work Well."
Please Note: All services for the remainder of this calendar year until December 31, 2022, will continue to be offered through Human Affairs International of California (HAI-CA), an affiliate of Magellan Behavioral Health, our current behavioral health partner.
Transitioning Care
While a great majority of providers, therapists, psychiatrists, and clinics currently available to WHA members through HAI-CA will continue to be available in 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.
Should a WHA member need behavioral or mental health services, a provider search tool for the Optum network is available online, or WHA Member Services would be happy to assist you. You may search the Optum Provider Directory below.
If a member is currently undergoing an active or chronic course of treatment with a provider, please check that they are in the Optum Behavioral Health network for uninterrupted care. If they are 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. Please complete our Continuity of Care request form and send it to WHA. Contact WHA Member Services for guidance, as well as talk with your current provider as soon as possible.
If you have any questions regarding this transition, please contact Member Services at 888.563.2250.
MENTAL HEALTH INFORMATION
Your behavioral health services include a full spectrum of managed mental health and substance use disorder services.
For assistance obtaining mental help benefits coverage information, provider access and claims processing information, please call Member Services at 888.563.2250 or send a secure message.
How to use your behavioral health benefits:
- No referral from your Primary Care Physician (PCP) is required.
- A WHA member can call Optum directly (effective Jan. 1, 2023) for help finding a provider nearby.
Optum Behavior Health
855.857.9748 - For Medicare Advantage members
800.765.6820 - For all other group and individual members
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Search WHA’s mental health prescription formulary.
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Learn how WHA reviews and authorizes requests for mental health care services.
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Learn how to file a complaint or grievance, or to request an Independent Medical Review.
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Request Continuity of Care.
Occasional sadness is a natural part of being human. Depression is different because sometimes a person won't necessarily feel sad; instead, other symptoms and even physical symptoms can be present. If it continues for too long and is left untreated, major depression can set in. Fortunately, there is help for you and your loved ones.
To learn more about the symptoms of depression, visit the National Institute of Mental Health website or visit WHA's Signs and Symptoms of Depression webpage.
Emergency Care
Don’t delay! Get help immediately! Go to the nearest hospital or call 911.
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:
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Call 911
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Go directly to an emergency room
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Call your doctor or therapist for help
If you have a mental health or substance abuse problem that is not an emergency, but you think you need to talk to someone right away, call Optum Customer Service at 800.765.6820 - 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
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.
Four tips to help you be stress-free
When physical symptoms of stress and anxiety are interfering with your daily life, it is important to seek help through your doctor or a behavioral health professional. Many people have success with combinations of:
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Learning more about it
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Talking with a counselor
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Exercising or walking
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Doing relaxation techniques such as progressive muscle relaxation, meditation or time management
Wellness Resources
Last review date: November 30, 2022