Starting January 15, 2025, we’re introducing changes to seeing clients with Horizon BCBS of New Jersey on Headway (18+ years old only).
What's changing
All new Horizon BCBS of New Jersey clients (age 18 and older) who were added to Headway on or after Jan 15, 2025 must automatically receive at least one initial and follow-up assessment.
When adding a new client to your Headway portal, you’ll now be prompted to select at least one assessment at your preferred cadence from the Headway Assessment library. By default, your client will receive PHQ-9 and GAD-7 every 30 days starting 2 days before their first session. You can choose different assessments and customize send frequencies at any time to match your client’s clinical needs.
For clients who find you through Headway, we'll automatically send PHQ-9 and GAD-7 every 30 days starting 2 days before their first session. You can choose different assessments from the Headway Assessment library and customize send frequencies at any time to match your client's clinical needs.
Who's impacted by this change
This change is being implemented for all clients with Horizon BCBS New Jersey (ages 18+ only) who join Headway or are added to Headway on or after January 15, 2024.
How it works
GAD-7 and PHQ-9 assessments will be automatically sent to these clients on a recurring 30 day cadence, starting 2 days before their first appointment. You can choose different assessments from Headway’s Assessment library and customize send frequencies at any time to match your client’s clinical needs.
If you would prefer to stop recurring assessments from being sent after the initial assessment and one follow-up assessment, you can do so under the Assessments tab, by clicking Manage.
As a note, since clients with this plan must receive an initial and one follow-up assessment, you will only be able to disable recurring assessments after these have been successfully sent to your client.
Viewing the results
Assessment results will automatically appear under your client’s profile in the assessments tab once the client completes the assessment(s). You’ll also receive an email notification when your client completes an assessment which will direct you to your portal to view results.
From your portal, you'll be able to download and print results to store assessments results across multiple systems, to share results with your client directly, or to more easily reference them in session.
Frequently asked questions
Why is this change being introduced?
Headway constantly advocates to get the best possible rates and agreements for our entire network, in recognition of the quality care and impact you all deliver. While assessments do not independently demonstrate clinical effectiveness, they help plans like Horizon understand member engagement and can offer you and your clients an additional way to track progress.
The PHQ-9 has a question about risk to self, including thoughts of self harm. Will you notify me if there is concern?
If a client indicates possible risk of harm to self in their responses, you’ll immediately receive an email notifying you after your client submits their scores. You will also receive an email with a form asking you to attest to reviewing and following-up with your client about the results. Your client will be informed that their provider may not be reviewing results in real-time, and to contact 24/7 crisis support, such as the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, immediately after completing the assessment.
Although we will share these other resources with your client, you will still need to follow up with the client directly to complete a risk evaluation and develop any safety plans if clinically indicated.
Will clients also be able to see the results?
If your client would like to view their results, you can download and securely send your clients their assessments directly.
- To download, navigate to the Client tab. Select a client and click on the Assessments tab. Then click “Manage” and “Download all assessments” from the dropdown menu.
- To download individual results, click on the individual assessment result and then “Download PDF”.
What are assessments?
Assessments are brief clinically validated questionnaires that can help you identify care needs, evaluate treatment effectiveness, and give clients a better sense of their progress. Read more here.
When will the first and follow-up assessments be sent?
By default, initial assessments will be sent two days before the first session, and the follow-up assessments will be sent on a recurring 30-day cadence. That said, you can customize these settings for a given client from that client’s profile, under the Assessments tab.
Can I complete assessments live with my client during a session?
If you prefer to complete assessments live with your clients, you also have the option to fill them out on their behalf during the session.
Can we bill 96127 (code for administering PROMs)?
No, we currently do not provide the option to bill CPT code 96127. If this changes in the future, we will be sure to notify you of the change ahead of time.