Name of Manual - Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota

Quality Improvement
Quality Improvement for Behavioral Health
Providers
General Overview This section contains detailed information about the Blue Cross
Quality Improvement (QI) program that is specific to behavioral
health providers. The information in this section is in addition to or
more specific than the requirements in the greater chapter. The
material explains what is expected from participating providers
regarding their quality programs and defines provider
requirements.
Cooperation with Blue
Cross QI Program
Rationale:
Collaborative efforts need to mutually serve our members/patients
with excellent care and services.
Requirements:
Actively participate in the following Blue Cross QI activities.
Standardized substance abuse screening in mental health
assessment.
• Routinely incorporate a substance abuse screening
questionnaire, e.g., CAGEAID, AUDIT, during mental health
assessment of new patients age 12 and under.
• Recommend or complete diagnostic assessment for a substance
use disorder based on positive screening results and
corroborating clinical information.
Exchange of information with primary care physicians
• Routinely ask new patients to authorize communication with
their physician and document authorization or refusal.
• When authorized, document communication with the
physician, e.g., report, letter, telephone or email.
• Authorized communication should include diagnosis, general
treatment plan, and if treated by a psychiatric practitioner,
initial medication management information.
Standardized treatment response monitoring for depression
• Routinely administer the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 for
adults with Major Depressive or Dysthymic Disorder to
monitor treatment response.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Provider Policy and Procedure Manual (08/11/11) 3-19