Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alaska is implementing plans to improve access to mental healthcare for members.
According to a Oct. 10 news release from the insurer, the three-year initiative includes developing a service to connect members with in-network providers and expanding mental health networks.
Premera will roll out the Matchmaker for Behavioral Health program in 2024, which will provide members with a customized list of behavioral health providers accepting new patients.
The insurer has also grown its behavioral health network in the state by 45 percent over three years and invested in social work education programs in the state.
In 2022, Alaska was ranked 46th in Mental Health America's overall ranking of states, indicating a higher prevalence of mental illness and more difficulty accessing care, according to the nonprofit.