Behavioral Health

Beacon also manages behavioral health resources for Alliance Care In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS). For Alliance Care IHSS members, the Alliance covers both inpatient and outpatient mental health and substance abuse disorder services provided by a participating mental health professional or hospital. Some services require prior authorization.

Note: In Merced County, all behavioral health services for IHSS members will go to Beacon for follow-up.

Providers should refer Medi-Cal members to their county behavioral health department if the member:

• Is severely impaired.
• Requires specialized behavioral health treatment.
• Requires alcohol or drug abuse treatment.

For county-specific behavioral health referral information, view the section for your service area.

Merced County

*Merced County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services provides inpatient and outpatient specialty behavioral health services to all Medi-Cal beneficiaries. Specialty behavioral health services are provided to qualifying clients with serious mental illness or serious emotional disturbance.

Monterey County

*Monterey County Behavioral Health provides inpatient and outpatient specialty behavioral health services to all Medi-Cal beneficiaries. Specialty behavioral health services are for clients with serious and persistent psychiatric illness requiring complex biopsychosocial services in order to maintain stability.

Santa Cruz County

*County of Santa Cruz Behavioral Health Services provides inpatient and outpatient specialty behavioral health services to all Medi-Cal beneficiaries who meet eligibility criteria.

Specialty behavioral health services are for:

• Adults with serious and persistent psychiatric illness requiring complex biopsychosocial services in order to maintain stability.
• Children/youth with severe emotional disorders that interfere with developmental functioning.

Maternal Mental Health (MMH) disorders include a range of disorders and symptoms including depression, anxiety and psychosis. These disorders and symptoms can occur during pregnancy and/or the perinatal period. Perinatal depression is one of the most common medical complications during pregnancy and the postpartum period. OB-GYNs, primary care providers and other obstetric care providers play a critical role in identifying and initiating treatment for this pervasive complication.

The Alliance recommends the following MMH screening resources for providers:

• The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale is a 5-minute questionnaire designed specifically for pre- and post-natal screening. It is available in multiple languages from the Massachusetts Child Psychiatry Access Program. Please note that not all versions are validated — use at your discretion.
• The Health Plan of San Mateo (HPSM) Behavioral Health Screening Tool (Part A, Part B and Part C) integrates the PHQ-9 questionnaire with additional screening questions from GAD-2, PHQ-2, AUDIT-C and CRAFFT. You can use the Behavioral Health Screening Scoresheet to record member results.
• The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ9) is a general screening tool for depression.

If you’re looking for education resources, the California nonprofit organization 2020 Mom is focused on closing gaps in maternal mental health care through education, advocacy and collaboration. They offer many resources for providers.

Behavioral Health Treatment (BHT) for Autism Spectrum Disorder and other developmental disorders is a covered benefit for eligible Medi-Cal members. Prior authorization from Beacon is required. BHT services include applied behavioral analysis and other evidence-based services aimed at shaping behavior. This benefit is available for members under the age of 21.

PCPs play an important role in identifying and referring children who need behavioral health treatment for autism or other developmental conditions. It is also critical that PCPs provide medical follow-up for commonly co-occurring medical disorders.

Beacon providers will ask members to sign a statement authorizing the clinician to share clinical status information with the member’s PCP and for the PCP to respond with additional member status information, to the extent permitted by law. Members may elect to authorize or refuse to authorize release of any information except as necessary to comply with federal, state and local laws.

The Alliance recommends the following resources for screening members for Autism Spectrum Disorder:

• Behavioral Health Treatment Medi-Cal Primary Care Provider FAQs – Beacon Health Options
• Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, Revised, with Follow-Up (M-CHAT-R/F)
• Screening Guidelines for Autism in Primary Care Practice - Beacon Health Options

CalHOPE Connect offers safe, secure and culturally sensitive emotional support for Californians in issues related to COVID-19.

• PCP Toolkit: resources on behavioral health conditions commonly managed by PCPs.
• Referral card: at-a-glance referral information for Beacon, in English and Spanish.

Referrals

• Beacon Primary Care Provider (PCP) Referral Form
• Beacon Primary Care Provider (PCP) Referral Form with Spanish
• Beacon Care Management Referral Form

Screening and Evaluation

• Beacon Diagnostic Evaluation Form (Medi-Cal)
• Adult Behavioral Health Screening Form for Assessment and Treatment as Medically Necessary
• Child Behavioral Health Screening Form for Assessment and Treatment as Medically Necessary
• Bi-Directional Medi-Cal Mental Health Level of Care Transition Form: Complete this form when transitioning a Medi-Cal client in active services between levels of mental health care.

Patient Information

• Authorization to Release Confidential Information (required to receive patient updates).
• Give Your Health Care Providers the Full Picture (member handout).

For information on how to become a Beacon provider, complete the Interest Form for Behavioral Health Professionals and a Beacon representative will contact you. You can also call Beacon’s National Provider Service Line at 800-397-1630 or visit the Beacon Health Options provider website.