ST. LOUIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Missouri members now have a more convenient and private way to access help for depression, anxiety and other types of mental illness. Members can use their smart phone, tablet or computer to have a live video visit with licensed therapists in the privacy of their own home or office.
LiveHealth Online Psychology, recently launched for Missouri consumers, is available for use by the majority of Anthems health plan customers, including health exchange members. Online therapy visits can help support consumers when they face common issues such as stress, anxiety, depression, relationship or parenting issues, grief, panic attacks or coping with an illness.
Eighteen percent of American adults suffer from mental illness and another 8 percent suffer from substance abuse problems. Yet, 20 percent of Americans say they were not able to get the mental health support they needed.
Access to mental health care treatment can be an issue, especially for those who live in rural areas and those who dont have easy access to transportation.
Seeking help for depression, substance abuse and other types of mental illness is a big step. LiveHealth Online makes it easier for consumers to take that step by providing convenient access to licensed therapists while maintaining their privacy.
Using LiveHealth Online Psychology makes it easier for Anthem members to:
Have access to a licensed therapist from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. during the week and weekends. Talk privately with a psychologist or therapist from a convenient and comfortable environment, such as their own home. Schedule the first visit within four days in most cases, and in some cases, on demand. Pay a similar cost share as an in-person visit.
Anthems top priority is its commitment to ensuring consumers have expanded access to high-quality, affordable health coverage, said Jay Moore, M.D., senior clinical director at Anthem. We also recognize the need for health care to become more convenient than ever before. Making the LiveHealth Online technology available to our members helps meet that need.
For more information on how LiveHealth Online Psychology works, go to https://livehealthonline.com/psychology.
About Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Missouri
In Missouri (excluding 30 counties in the Kansas City area) Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is the trade name for RightCHOICE Managed Care, Inc. (RIT), Healthy Alliance Life Insurance Company (HALIC), and HMO Missouri, Inc. RIT and certain affiliates administer non-HMO benefits underwritten by HALIC and HMO benefits underwritten by HMO Missouri, Inc. RIT and certain affiliates only provide administrative services for self-funded plans and do not underwrite benefits. Independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, ANTHEM is a registered trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield names and symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.
http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160208005954/en/LiveHealth-Online-Psychology-Supports-Members-Stress-Anxiety
