Our Great Expectations® for health programs include coaching and other resources to help improve the mental health of our members, whether they may be living with anxiety, depression or bipolar disorder.
The Great Expectations for anxiety management helps members better manage their anxiety.
The coaching program assesses, empowers and educates members, providing them with tools to better understand anxiety and the best ways to manage it. This program allows members to set their own goals. They may also receive educational mailings and access to online resources and newsletters, as appropriate.
If you or someone you love could benefit from this program, please contact the Companion Benefit Alternatives, Inc. (CBA) at 800-868-1032, ext. 25835.
CBA is a separate company that administers behavior health benefits on behalf of BlueChoice HealthPlan.
If you suffer from bipolar disorder, you may experience intense mood shifts that range from the lows of depression to the highs of mania. Mood shifts may occur only a few times a year, or as often as several times a day.
Mania often includes hyperactivity, rapid speech, irritability and impulsive behaviors. Phases of depression may include periods of intense sadness, loss of energy, lack of interest in normal activities and difficulty in concentrating or making decisions.
If bipolar disorder is untreated, behavior shifts can result in damaged relationships, trouble maintaining a normal work or school schedule, and even death or suicide. The good news is that bipolar disorder is treatable. It is important to start treatment as soon as symptoms are recognized. Treatment for bipolar disorder can be extremely effective in controlling symptoms.
Companion Benefit Alternatives (CBA) offers care management for bipolar disorder to help members manage their condition. CBA is a separate company that manages behavioral health benefits on behalf of BlueChoice HealthPlan. Care management for bipolar disorder is a free, voluntary program.
Through scheduled phone calls, your care manager will help you:
- Personalize your plan for better health.
- Set short- and long-term goals.
- Supply family members with educational resources.
You are not alone. With treatment and support, you can get back to feeling like yourself. You can lead a full and productive life.
Be sure to check out this helpful booklet for more information. And, if you or someone you love could benefit from this program, please contact CBA at 800-868-1032, ext. 25835.
As part of your BlueChoice HealthPlan coverage, you may also have the Depression Management program.
Depression Management is administered by Companion Benefit Alternatives (CBA). CBA is a separate company that manages behavioral health and substance abuse benefits on behalf of BlueChoice®.
Depression Management teaches you how to prevent relapses. It also helps you learn how best to talk with your doctors and counselors.
You'll team with a depression disease management specialist. This nurse or social worker will help you plan, coordinate and evaluate services you can use. Your disease manager will also call you regularly to see how you are doing. He or she will give you follow-up support and educational materials, as needed.
You'll start the program by taking the Core Assessment. This is a structured telephone interview. Based on the results, we will place you in one of these programs:
- Watchful Waiting — weekly phone calls for up to eight weeks.
- Depression Monitoring — brief, structured assessments during the first 12 weeks of antidepressant therapy.
- Depression Disease Management (for those with depressive disorders) — the disease manager works with these members for 12 - 24 weeks.
- Referral Management — refers members to specialty care.
Be sure to check out this depression booklet for more information. If you are interested in the Depression Management program, please call CBA at 800-868-1032, ext. 25835.
Whether you decide to join the Depression Management program or not, there are a few important things you can do to manage your depression:
- Be sure to follow your doctor’s plan of care.
- Take all prescribed medications.
- If you are taking antidepressant medication, use the medicine as directed.
- Tell your doctor right away if you have any reactions or unexpected side effects.
- You may need to take your medication for one to two months before you notice an improvement.
- Keep taking your medication, even if you are feeling better.
- Keep scheduled visits with your doctor or other health care professionals.
- Contact your doctor with any questions or concerns you have about your treatment.