PROVIDENCE, RI – As part of Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island’s (BCBSRI) ongoing commitment to improve access to behavioral healthcare, the insurer has expanded its provider partnerships to improve access to children’s mental healthcare and  address financial barriers.

Through a partnership with James Andriotis, M.D., of Child and Family Psychiatry, there is now increased access to care for children and adolescents with designated appointment slots each week. These additional appointments are critical considering that an estimated 55 percent of children, between the ages of three and 17, had trouble obtaining needed mental healthcare, according to the 2018 Rhode Island Kids Count Factbook.

“There is a great need for child psychiatry services in Rhode Island, and unfortunately, this can result in barriers for children and teens to receive an initial appointment," said Rena Sheehan, LICSW, MBA, BCBSRI managing director of behavioral health. “We are grateful that Child and Family Psychiatry has provided access for children coming out of the emergency department, from PediPRN referrals within primary care practices, or through Beacon case management."

Child and Family Psychiatry works closely with inpatient and other behavioral health facilities as well as with emergency departments across Rhode Island. This partnership aims to support the clear need identified for a continuum of care across all levels.

To address financial barriers, BCBSRI is restructuring some payment models that allow families to make a single monthly copayment for programs that include multiple visits/services per month. One such partnership is with The Providence Center through its Child and Family Intensive Treatment Program (CFIT), a home-based program for children and families insured by BCBSRI. CFIT treats children ages 3 to 21 who are experiencing significant emotional or behavioral issues. The multidisciplinary program – reached through The Providence Center’s intake line at 401-276-4020 is an effective step-down from a day program or inpatient hospital stay.

Child and Family Psychiatry is able to provide urgent appointments for pediatric members in need of an evaluation with a child and adolescent psychiatrist. The office also has several therapists who are accepting referrals. Child and Family Psychiatry is located on Reservoir Avenue in Cranston and can be reached at 401-572-3313 or at www.childandfamilypsychiatryri.com.

For more information about the array of programs and services BCBSRI offers for behavioral health, for both children and adults, click HERE or visit bcbsri.com. You can also learn more about all of BCBSRI’s behavioral health services by listening to the latest episode of the Rhode to Health podcast.