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How to find a behavioral health provider
An easy way to screen
for colon cancer
Find our recommended health guidelines
for kids ages 7 through 18 years online:
mynmhc.org/preventive-screenings.aspx.
Vaccines (also called
immunizations or shots) for
preteens and teens are important for a
few reasons. As kids get older, protection
from some childhood vaccines begins
to wear off. Some vaccines work better
when given during adolescence. And
others are not recommended until a
child reaches adolescence.
You have many opportunities to get
your kids vaccinated. Take advantage
of health checkups and sports or camp
physicals so your teens will get the shots
they need to stay healthy.
You may have seen a TV commercial lately about Cologuard
®
, a product
of Exact Sciences Corporation. Cologuard is a noninvasive test for colon
cancer that you can use at home.
Cologuard is based on advances in DNA research related to colon
cancer. It is recommended only for people who have an average risk of
colon cancer.
If you are 50 years old or older, you should be screened for colon
cancer. NMHC covers the Cologuard test under your preventive care
benefit, with no out-of-pocket cost for you. Some of Cologuard’s
advantages are:
•
No special preparation, diet, or medication is needed beforehand.
•
You don’t have to take time off work or stop normal activities to
complete the test.
You will need a prescription to use Cologuard. Find out more by
talking to your provider.
W
e understand that physi-
cal health and behavioral
(mental) health are strongly
connected. If you think you
need to visit a behavioral health provider and
have never seen one before, you may need help
finding one who suits your needs.
What services do you need?
Behavioral health providers are specially trained
healthcare professionals. They diagnose and
treat behavioral health conditions. The ser-
vices they offer depend on their training and
specialty.
Some behavioral health providers may
specialize in certain areas, such as depression,
substance misuse, marriage or family therapy.
They may work in different settings, like
private practice, hospitals, community agen-
cies or other facilities. It’s a good idea to ask the
provider questions about their specialty before
making an appointment.
Three kinds of providers
•
Psychiatrist (MD, DO):
a medical doctor
(physician) with special training in the diag-
nosis and treatment of mental and emotional
illnesses. Like other doctors, psychiatrists
can prescribe medication.
•
Psychologist (PhD, PsyD):
a provider
trained in psychology, a science that deals
with thoughts, emotions and behaviors.
Psychologists diagnose and treat a number
of behavioral health disorders. They provide
counseling one-on-one or in a group setting.
They specialize in psychological testing. They
cannot prescribe medication unless they are
licensed to do so.
•
Master’s-Prepared (LPCC, LMFT, LCSW,
LPAT, etc.):
These providers can diagnose
Four main vaccines are
recommended for this
age group:
•
Flu (influenza).
•
Meningococcal.
•
Human papillomavirus
(HPV).
•
Tetanus, diphtheria,
pertussis (Tdap).
Teens need
vaccines
mental and emotional illnesses and pro-
vide individual and group counseling. In
addition, they provide assessments, psy-
chological counseling, and a range of other
services, depending on their licensing and
training. They may work with another
provider who can prescribe medication, if
needed. They cannot prescribe medication
unless they are licensed to do so.
What should you consider
when looking for a behavioral
health provider?
•
Your concern or condition.
Most be-
havioral health providers treat a range of
conditions. However, one with a specialized
focus may be more suited to your needs. In
general, the more severe your symptoms or
complex your diagnosis, the more skill and
training you need. This often means special-
ized training after the master’s or doctoral
level.
•
Whether you need medications, coun-
seling or both.
Most behavioral health
providers are not licensed to prescribe
medications. You may need to see more than
one behavioral health provider; for example,
a psychiatrist to manage your medications
and a psychologist or another mental health
provider for counseling.
•
If the provider is in the NMHC network.
You can search for in-network behavioral
health providers in our provider directory at
mynmhc.org/find_a_doctor.aspx.
Tips for your first visit
•
Ask as many questions as you need to. Find-
ing the right match is key to setting up a
good relationship and getting the most out
of your treatment.
•
Don’t base your final decision about your
provider on your first visit. This visit is more
about introducing yourself and talking in
general about your need for services. During
the following visits, you and your provider
will go deeper into your specific needs. You
can then decide if you and your provider are
a good match.
If you need
help finding
a behavioral
health
provider, call our
Case Management
team toll-free at
844-691-9984
.
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