Founded and sponsored by the National Council on Alcohol and Drug Dependence (NCADD), Alcohol Awareness Month was established in 1987 to help reduce the stigma associated with alcohol use disorders. NCADD promotes public aware- ness related to alcohol use disorders each April by providing education related to alcohol use and paths to recovery.

BCBSRI encourages all primary care providers to universally screen for substance use disorders using the Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) model. SBIRT is an evidence-based practice used to identify, reduce, and prevent problematic use, abuse, and dependence on alcohol and illicit drugs. SBIRT consists of three major components:

• Screening – A healthcare professional assesses a patient for risky substance use behaviors using standardized screening tools.
• Brief Intervention – A healthcare professional engages a patient showing risky substance use behaviors in a short conversation, providing feedback and advice.
• Referral to Treatment – A healthcare professional provides a referral to brief therapy or additional treatment to patients whose screenings show a need for additional services.
  Screening for substance use disorders using the SBIRT model is a reimbursable service. Please refer to the following policies for details:
• Medicare
• Commercial
   

BCBSRI supports our members who may be struggling with substance use disorders through these programs:

• Roger Williams Medical Center Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) Program is an outpatient program through the Addiction Services Center at Roger Williams Medical Center that delivers medication-assisted treatment to BCBSRI commercial members struggling with opioid use disorders. The MAT program aims to provide maximum patient care by working to ensure timely, reliable access to medication-assisted treatment. In addition to medication support, the MAT program will offer comprehensive clinical treatment to BCBSRI commercial members, including an initial clinical assessment and physician evaluation with ongoing care provided, individual and group counseling, and case management. All services are bundled into one monthly rate. If you wish to refer someone to the program, please call the Roger Williams Medical Center Addiction Services Center at (401) 456-2362.
• CODAC Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) Program is an outpatient Buprenorphine/Naloxone or Buprenor- phine program offered by CODAC, a substance use disorder treatment facility. BCBSRI has partnered with Rhode Island’s first Center of Excellence (COE) for the treatment of opioid dependence to provide comprehensive medi- cation-assisted treatment-related services to BCBSRI commercial members to facilitate recovery. The goal of the program is to offer structured and intensive treatment including medication-assisted treatment, such as Suboxone, nursing, counseling and case management services, that ultimately lead to recovery and the ability to maintain recovery in a less intensive treatment program.
  If you wish to refer someone to the program, please contact CODAC at (401) 461-5056.

Peer Recovery Coaches

BCBSRI is piloting this program through Anchor Recovery/The Providence Center to provide an opportunity for commercial members with substance use disorders to work with a Peer Recovery Coach. Peer Recovery Coaching is a SAMHSA-recognized tool that facilitates recovery and reduces healthcare costs. Peer Recovery Coaches are individuals in recovery themselves who have been through extensive training to provide support to their peers. Recovery Coaches do not diagnose or treat addiction, but rather serve as a bridge to substance use services and community support.

To learn more about Anchor Recovery visit www.anchorrecovery.org. To learn more about the Peer Recovery Coach pro- gram, please contact Sarah Fleury, LICSW, CPHQ, lead behavioral health clinical program specialist, at (401) 459-1384 or sarah.fleury@bcbsri.org.

How do I connect a patient to behavioral health services?

The behavioral health system can be confusing and overwhelming for your patients to navigate. As BCBSRI continues to expand our continuum of services for behavioral health, we realize that providers may have questions regarding the types of services available for their patients. There are several ways to learn more about behavioral health benefits and services:

• The Provider Call Center [(401) 274-4848 or 1-800 230-9050)] can answer questions regarding a member’s bene- fits, including member liability for services. They can also assist if you are simply looking for a participating behavior- al health provider. You can also search bcbsri.com if you are simply looking for a behavioral health provider.
• The Beacon Health Options (Beacon) Clinical Referral Line is available 24/7 and is answered by clinical behavioral health staff. The clinical referral line can help you find a behavioral health provider and provide support and guidance. The clinical referral line should not be used if there is concern of imminent danger, but can be a first point of contact in non-emergency situations. The clinician—who may be a registered nurse, independently licensed social worker, or mental health counselor—will ask questions to get a better understanding of your patient’s needs. The clinician will provide you with information about available services and will offer the names and contact information for providers who offer those services. You can contact the Clinical Referral Line at 1-800-274-2958. You may also share this num- ber with your patients if they prefer to contact Beacon themselves.
• The Beacon Health Options Intensive Case Management Program can help your patients effectively manage their behavioral health conditions. Independently licensed behavioral health clinicians will work with your patient to:
  • Help them understand barriers that prevent them from getting the most from their treatment or in obtaining rec- ommended treatment.
  • Provide education to help them better understand their condition.
  • Help them find and obtain services, resources, or support to better manage their behavioral health condition.
  • Coordinate care with providers to ensure you and your patient have the necessary information to provide them with the best care and support.
  • Work with them to ensure they know the medications they should be taking and understand the instructions you have provided to them.
    To refer a patient to Beacon Health Options Case Management Program, please call 1-800-274-2958, option 2. You may also use our automated referral form at bcbsri.com by following these easy steps:

1. Log on to the provider portal of bcbsri.com
2. Click on Tools and Resources
3. Click on Forms
4. Click on Case Management Request
5. Complete the required fields and click Go

• Behavioral Health Link (BH Link): A statewide resource available to all commercial members. BH link provides immediate crisis intervention services. BH Link also connects individuals with ongoing treatment and care through their professional team of nurses, counselors, psychiatrists and peer specialists through their 24/7 statewide call center and/or their 24/7 triage center where individuals can walk-in to receive stabilizing emergency behavioral health services and be connected to long-term care and recovery support.
  For more information about BH Link, please contact the BH Link Hotline at (401) 414-LINK (5465).