Premera Blue Cross has officially announced the launch of new digital options, a larger provider network, and an assortment of supporting community partnerships that make behavioral health services more accessible than ever before.
To understand the significance of such a development, we must take into account one survey conducted by National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) where it was revealed that one in five adults experience a mental, emotional, or behavioral disorder. Furthermore, the same survey revealed how 17 percent of youth between the ages of six to 17 years old are currently suffering from a mental health disorder.
One separate study from the American Psychiatric Association also found that nearly 41 percent of Americans report relatively worse mood levels in winter, with 27 percent reporting symptoms of depression, indicating greater demand for behavioral health support during the colder months.
“This time of year, can be especially tough for families and young people,” said Dr. Romilla Batra, Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer for Premera Blue Cross. “We want our members to know that when they’re ready to ask for help, care is available. That means making it easier to connect with the right behavioral health providers, offering support through multiple channels, and bringing mental health care into primary care settings. We’re also focused on integrating behavioral and physical health and making sure people with the greatest needs get the comprehensive support they deserve.”
Talk about the given development on a slightly deeper level, we begin from the expanded provider network. This translates to how Premera has increased its behavioral health provider network, across Washington, by 48 percent in recent years, bringing on board almost 4,000 new clinicians across specialties and geographies.
In fact, the company has now increased its behavioral health network by 71 percent since 2020.
Next up, the company will provide flexible access to therapy, psychiatry, and medication management through trusted partners such as Spring Health, Rula, Headway, and Talkspace. The recruited partners, on their part, are going to offer care via video, phone, and text-based therapy. More on the same would reveal how the said partnerships will unlock nationwide access, online scheduling, and matching to providers based on member needs, as well as guaranteed appointment times within two to three days.
For better understanding, by January 2026, the new Premera plans on connecting members to more than 25 wellness and condition management solutions.
Another detail worth a mention is rooted in the availability of personalized, one-on-one member support. You see, the Personal Health Support program at Premera is expected to offer members access to a team of personal health support clinicians (PHSCs). Here, the idea is to help clinicians leverage the company’s market-leading, integrated case management model, all for the purpose of meeting members where they are.
We referred to Premera’s partnerships, but what we haven’t yet touched upon how the company will also work alongside Kinwell clinics, enjoying support from the latter’s 16 clinics across Washington, and a statewide virtual care clinic. Kinwell’s integrated approach will basically allow Premera members to address mental health concerns with their primary care provider.
Beyond that, there is a focus on connecting members through Matchmakerâ„¢ for Behavioral Health program, which can provide you with a curated list from the Matchmaker team of in-network behavioral and mental health clinicians.
 Not just that, patients are also provided to members at no cost if they have access of the program through their plan. This builds upon the program’s record performance in 2024. In essence, during this timeframe, Matchmakerâ„¢ supported 2,700 members nationwide, up from 800 in 2023.
Making the given proposition even more significant would be Premera’s stature, which stems from the company’s customer base of more than 2.5 million people, ranging from individuals to Fortune 100 companies
“The need for behavioral health support is growing, and we’re rising to meet it,” said Batra. “Whether it’s a teenager battling anxiety, a parent overwhelmed by daily stress, or an older adult seeking coordinated care, Premera is making it easier to access affordable, high-quality help. Because when it comes to mental health, no one should have to navigate the journey alone, and we won’t let them.”