The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota (BCBS MN) Crisis Response Program provides short-term, no-cost support for Minnesotans affected by tragic community events. This benefit is designed to help individuals navigate immediate emotional needs through focused, solution-oriented sessions (up to 5 appointments over a 1 month period) while transitioning them to insurance-based therapy if longer-term treatment is required.
Areas of support may include (but not limited to):
- Processing trauma and grief
- Coping skills and emotional regulation
- Survivor’s guilt
- Peer and social support
Member eligibility
All Minnesotans within a designated impact area / group are eligible for this program regardless of whether they are BCBS MN members. To confirm eligibility, participants will be asked to input an authorization / reference number when booking their first appointment.
Working with Crisis Response Program clients
Eligible Crisis Response Program clients can schedule directly with you based on your availability, just like clients with other plan types. You’ll see EAP session noted on the booking in your calendar view.
Billing and reimbursement
- All sessions MUST be billed with CPT code 90834
- Sessions are expected to last a therapeutic hour (~45-50 minutes of face-to-face or telehealth care)
- Reimbursement will follow the standard BCBS MN rate for CPT 90834 and will be issued on the regular bi-weekly schedule
Transitioning clients after the Crisis Response Program benefits end
Planning for continuity of care
Before your client’s final session, review transition options to ensure ongoing care as needed.
- If you are credentialed with the client’s primary insurance plan, you can continue seeing the client using their insurance benefits.
- Example: If the client has BCBS MN and you are credentialed with BCBS MN, sessions can continue under their insurance benefits.
- If you are not credentialed with the client’s primary insurance plan, and it is a plan Headway does not accept: You may discuss private pay options with the client.
- Example: Client is insured with Medica, a plan that Headway does not currently accept.
Transition scenarios
- Client is insured through BCBS MN → Automatic transition from BCBS MN Crisis Program to their regular BCBS MN insurance benefits
- Client is insured through a different plan → Client must update their insurance information manually
- Client doesn't have primary insurance → Discuss self-pay rates with the client, if you're open to it
Opting into the BCBS MN Crisis Response Program
If you're credentialed with BCBS MN, you're automatically eligible to join the Crisis Response Program. If you aren’t currently part of the program but wish to participate, just contact our support team and let us know.