Behavioral Health Services

Group Health Behavioral Health Services (BHS) pre-authorizes and coordinates all non-emergency mental health and chemical dependency care. You do not need a referral from your primary care provider to obtain behavioral health care, but you must obtain pre-authorization from BHS before meeting with a mental health or chemical dependency provider.

Behavioral health coverage varies by health plan. Check your coverage documents or contact Customer Service for more information. All patient information is confidential as required by law.

Types of Care

BHS provides the following types of behavioral health care:

  • Assessment and evaluation
  • Individual and group psychotherapy
  • Substance abuse (chemical dependency) counseling
  • Medication evaluation and management
  • Psychological testing

Service levels include:

  • Outpatient treatment (in a clinic setting)
  • Partial and full hospitalization (inpatient care)
  • Detoxification (outpatient and inpatient)

Our staff and contracted behavioral health providers include psychiatrists, psychologists, psychotherapists, addiction and chemical-dependency counselors, and nurses.

Locations

Mental health and chemical dependency services are available at the following locations:

Additionally, Spokane has services at Lidgerwood, South Hill, and Veradale medical centers.

We also contract with behavioral health practitioners in the community. Use the Provider Directory to find a practitioner covered by your health plan.

Appointments and Contact Information

To begin or continue behavioral health care, or for emergency or after-hours care, see the contact information for your region in the table below.

BHS must pre-authorize all non-emergency care. When you call for a first-time appointment, a licensed behavioral health professional will assist you in finding a provider who will best meet your needs.

In case of a life-threatening emergency, call 911. See Emergency and Urgent Care for more information.


Central & Eastern Washington and North Idaho Western Washington
First-Time Appointments 1-800-851-3177 or 509-241-2482,
8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays		 1-888-287-2680 or 206-901-6300,
8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays
Extensions & Follow-Up Care Contact your provider's office or call 509-241-2482 or 1-800-851-3177 Contact your provider's office or call 206-901-6300 or 1-888-287-2680
Urgent or Crisis Care: Regular Business Hours Contact your provider's office or call 509-241-2482 or 1-800-851-3177 Contact your provider's office or call 206-901-6300 or 1-888-287-2680
Urgent or Crisis Care: After Hours & Weekends Consulting Nurse Service Consulting Nurse Service