Premera Blue Cross has created its Matchmaker for Behavioral Health program to help members connect with a provider who fits their specific needs.
Premera offers health plans in Alaska and Washington state, and its matchmaker program is part of a three-year initiative to expand members' access to behavioral health services.
Matchmaker provides Premera members with a free list of in-network behavioral health clinicians who are accepting new patients, tailored to each member's specific needs. It is meant to make it easier for members to find an available provider, according to an Aug. 10 press release from Premera Blue Cross.
In addition to the new program, Premera has expanded its behavioral health provider network in Washington by 22 percent over the past three years, adding more than 1,000 clinicians in-person and virtually. The payer is also continuing its work to support the integration of behavioral health services into primary care, with a focus on clinics that serve communities with a high percentage of Black residents.