This section provides information for providers regarding Behavioral Health services. The information listed below is not all inclusive. Be sure to always check your patient's benefits in Eligibility & Benefits or your practice management system.
Alabama Department of Mental Health
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama administers inpatient/emergency room benefits for the Alabama Department of Mental Health. The group number is 72532 and the prefix is ABM. There will not be identification cards or explanation of benefit forms for members. Claims should be filed to Blue Cross. The facilities will bill us and receive their remittances as normal.
Individuals who are wards of the Department of Mental Health may be brought to a hospital without healthcare coverage information; therefore, you may need to find information on these individuals or create a new account. You can do this by going to the Alabama State Employees’ Insurance Board (SEIB) website, www.alseib.org, and submitting your user name and password to search the patient’s account information based on his/her first and last name, member ID and date of birth.
If you are unable to obtain contract information for the patient through searching, select “Register Now” under the words “Sign In” and choose “Inmate Healthcare Account/Mental Health Healthcare Account.” Fill in the requested information, and select “Finish.” SEIB will send you an activation email. You must click on the link provided in the email to complete the registration process for the account or wait for a customer representative to contact you in regard to activating the account.
If you have questions, contact SEIB at 1-866-280-9506 or 1-334-263-8391, or contact your Provider Networks Consultant at 1-866-904-4130.
Blue Choice
Blue Choice providers who need assistance with provider enrollment and contracting, clinical criteria, precertifications, standards of care and related matters should contact Lucet at 1-888-611-6285, Option 3.
For Blue Choice providers who have claims status or remittance questions, first review the information on ProviderAccess, then contact Customer Service. Blue Choice providers can also contact us at 1-866-904-4130.
Expanded Psychiatric Services
Expanded Psychiatric Services (EPS) providers who need assistance on EPS patients should contact Lucet at 1-888-611-6285, Option 3.
Lucet
Practitioners may receive assistance from a behavioral health professional in treating their Blue Cross patients with behavioral health needs. To make a case management referral, arrange a call with a psychiatrist, or seek any other behavioral health assistance, contact Lucet’s physician help line at 1-855-339-1598. This line is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays.
For general information on our Behavioral Health programs, such as provider manuals and toolkits, see Lucet’s website.
Out-of-Network
Out-of-Network providers with questions about Behavioral Health should call Customer Service at 1-205-733-7016.
Additional Information
Major Depression Guideline for Initial Outpatient Treatment of Adults, 2015
Source: American Psychiatric Association and collaboration with Lucet
Importance of Follow-Up After Hospitalization for Mental Illness
Source: National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA)
Lucet is an independent company offering behavioral health solutions and services on behalf of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama.