Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas can help if you need care for mental health or alcohol and drug use. Behavioral health care does not need approval from your child's primary care provider (PCP). Prior authorization is not needed for outpatient care. Your behavioral health service coordinator will work with you to find the provider you want to see. You do not need authorizations for in-network behavioral health providers for medically necessary services. If the provider is out of network, work with your service coordinator to make arrangements for your out-of-network provider to care for your child and get paid appropriately.
We can help you with:
- Managing your medicine to reduce your symptoms or so that you can be more independent
- Training to help you talk to your family, friends and teachers about how you can work together to control your symptoms
- Dealing with a mental or emotional crisis
Effective 1/1/25, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas will offer Partial Hospitalization and Intensive Outpatient Program as In Lieu of Services (ILOS) for STAR Kids members. Learn more.
If you have behavioral health problems, call our Customer Advocate Department at 1-877-688-1811 (TTY: 711).
Rehabilitation Services
As part of the STAR Kids Plan, BCBSTX offers mental health rehabilitation services. These include:
- Counseling
- Treatment
- Skills Training
These services help your child's mental health improve over time. Also, a youth may have alcohol and/or drug problems. If so, they can get substance use rehabilitation services. This includes counseling and treatment.
Online Behavioral Health Program
Learn to Live is a no cost online health program. It is offered to members 13 and older and caregivers. Learn to Live gives self-paced mental health solutions. Plus, access to 24/7 therapy coaches for members. It can help with common challenges like stress, anxiety, depression, insomnia and substance abuse. To start, register at Learn to Live (Access Code: TXMED).
Emergency and Crisis Support
In addition, we offer emergency and crisis support. If, at any time, you think you or your child is having a mental health emergency, call us at 1-877-688-1811 (TTY: 711). You may call at any time of day or night, and on any day of the week. You will be able to talk to a mental health professional.
Mental Health Hotlines
These hotlines are available 24/7. Calls are confidential and at no cost to you.
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – provides support for those who are in distress, as well as prevention and crisis information
- National Maternal Mental Health Hotline – provides support before, during and after pregnancy for those who feel overwhelmed, anxious or depressed
Applied Behavioral Analysis for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) therapy is now a benefit for STAR Kids members as a covered benefit through Texas Medicaid. ABA can help children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) develop improved function with their peers and caregivers. To qualify for ABA, your child must first have special testing to confirm their diagnosis of ASD.
ABA testing is more thorough than what most pediatricians can do as part of their practice. The testing must be performed by a specialist such as a developmental pediatrician, a neurologist, a psychiatrist, a licensed psychologist, or an Autism diagnosis team. Speak to your child’s pediatrician about getting a referral to one of these specialists.
Please check the ABA therapy Frequently Asked Questions for more information.
Go to Provider Finder® to search for and print a list of ABA providers in your area.
If you have more questions about ABA services, please call BCBSTX STAR Kids Service Coordination toll-free at 1-877-301-4394. Members with hearing or speech loss can call the TTY line at 711.
We are open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time, Monday through Friday. You may leave a voicemail outside of our normal business hours or on weekends and holidays. You will be able to talk to a mental health professional.