Mental Health
Your emotional wellbeing is important, too. Find out how to use this benefit.
Mental Health Services Benefit
Important: If you’re thinking about harming yourself or someone else, get help right away by calling or texting 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (TTY: dial 711 then 988) or Institute of Aging’s Friendship Line 1-800-971-0016.
SCAN includes coverage for mental health services in all of its plans.
Your mental health benefits allow you to receive care from psychiatrists and other mental health professionals to diagnose and treat conditions important to your emotional health and wellbeing. This support may be provided through your primary care doctor’s medical group or through a trusted health plan partner. Check your Evidence of Coverage to see exactly what your plan includes.
Your coverage includes:
- Outpatient mental health therapy for individual or group visits with a clinical psychologist or other mental health professional to diagnose and treat depression, anxiety and other conditions related to mental health. Care is delivered in a non-hospital setting, such as a doctor’s office, or a hospital outpatient clinic.
- Outpatient psychiatric services provided by a medical doctor who specializes in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of mental disorders.
- Inpatient mental health services provided in an inpatient psychiatric hospital, a unit of an acute care hospital or a rural critical access hospital.
- Outpatient partial hospitalization provided through a hospital outpatient program or by a community center. These highly structured programs offer an alternative to full hospitalization but provide more intense treatment than available in a doctor’s office or other outpatient setting.
The following organizations partner with SCAN to provide behavioral health support to members:
- Doctors On Demand (offered as a supplemental benefit for certain SCAN plans; does not require a referral)
- Lucet (offered through certain medical groups that work with SCAN; see FAQ below)
How to Use These Services
- Mental health services require that you see an in-network mental health professional for all covered services and a referral is required for most services. But depending on your plan, you may be able to self-refer for outpatient mental health services. Check your plan materials to find out if and when you will need a referral from your regular doctor.
- Call your primary care doctor’s office and describe what you’re feeling. Your doctor may want to see you to do an exam to rule out any physical causes or to screen for depression. If no physical condition is found, your doctor may decide to prescribe a medication or give you a referral to see a mental health specialist.
Additional Medical and Supplemental Benefits Beyond Medicare
A lot goes in to staying healthy. And SCAN Medicare Advantage plans offer plenty of extra benefits to help you take care of yourself. For example, our Medicare Advantage plans have dental and vision coverage, as well as prescription drug coverage. But we also offer extra benefits like transportation to appointments, discounts on fitness tools, and gym memberships. It's all part of SCAN's mission to help you stay as healthy and independent as possible.
Not all benefits are available on all SCAN plans. Check your Evidence of Coverage to see exactly what your plan includes.
Frequently asked questions about mental health services
Q: Does it cost the same to see a mental health specialist as it does to go to another kind of specialist?
Copayments to see a mental health provider may not be the same as what you pay to see other kinds of specialists and vary depending on the mental health service you receive.
To see specific details about what mental health services your plan covers, check your Evidence of Coverage. To see what your copays will be for these services, check your Summary of Benefits.
Q: Who can I talk to about receiving care through a mental health specialist?
It’s best to start the discussion with your primary care doctor. Talk with your doctor about what you’re experiencing and any concerns you have. He or she can help you decide the best next steps for your care, which may include referral to a mental health specialist.
For additional information on how to get care through your mental health services, call 1-800-559-3500 (TTY: 711).
Q: Do I have coverage for substance use disorders?
Yes, you’re covered for substance use disorders in an outpatient setting, such as group or individual therapy. See your Evidence of Coverage (EOC) for more information.
Q: I have Medi-Cal. Can I receive mental health services through SCAN?
Yes, starting January 1, 2025, SCAN covers the Medi-Cal behavioral health services not covered by Medicare, including both mental health and substance use disorder services for members enrolled in SCAN Connections and SCAN Connections at Home. SCAN will coordinate your care in partnership with the County Behavioral Health system.
Please note: This benefit is only available to members in Connections and Connections at Home in the following counties: San Diego, San Bernardino, Riverside, and Los Angeles.
Frequently asked questions about Lucet
Q: How do I find a mental health provider through Lucet?
You can find a Lucet mental health provider in one of two ways:
- Contact Lucet directly at 1-877-267-7555 to get matched with a professional, or
- Contact your primary care doctor for help getting started.
Q: How will Lucet connect me with the right mental health provider?
When you connect with the team at Lucet, one of their clinical experts will ask a few questions to assess your health, identify the best treatment option, and find the right provider for you. Lucet will also schedule an appointment for you—all during one phone call.
Q: Can I receive mental health services through Lucet?
Lucet provides mental health services to members affiliated with certain medical groups and service counties. To find out if you can receive care through Lucet, please first check that you live in one of the service counties, and then that you are part of one of the medical groups listed. Note: Find your medical group name on your SCAN member ID card.
Service Counties: Bexar, Harris, Clark, Fresno, Los Angeles, Madera, Orange, San Bernardino, Maricopa, Pima, Bernalillo, Sandoval
In-Network Groups:
- Carelon Health Arizona
- Carelon Health Clark County
- Cedars-Sinai Health System
- CenterWell Senior Primary Care
- CHI Texas Health Network Meritage
- Evernorth Care Group
- Heritage Physicians Network
- Houston Physicians IPA
- IntegraNet Health
- IntraCare Health Center
- Lovelace Medical Group
- Medical Network Central Valley
- Oak Street Health
- Optum Primary Care
- Phoenix Physicians IPA
- Renaissance Physicians Organization
- SCAN Medical Group
- UCI University Phys & Surg
- ViCare Health IPA
- VillageHealth
- VillageMD
