Feel your best, inside and out

Mental health coverage is available.

We believe your mental health is just as important as your physical health. With over 700 behavioral health providers in our network, we make it easier for you to find the right provider for your needs and schedule — with no referral needed.

Emergency care

If you or someone you care about is experiencing a suicidal or mental health crisis, please call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or dial 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

If emergency medical care is needed, call 911 or go to the emergency room of the nearest hospital.

Get behavioral health support in 3 steps

1

Find a provider

Search for a behavioral health provider and filter by specialty, location and more to find the best fit for you.

  • Tip: There are many types of behavioral health care professionals. Learn the differences between them.
2

Set up an appointment

After you choose a provider, follow their site’s instructions to schedule an appointment as a new patient.

3

Prepare for your first visit.

Whether your first appointment is in person or a video visit, your provider will ask you about your current health and health history before your session. It will likely be a questionnaire to help your provider get a better sense of your needs.

Once you’re set up, consider taking a self-assessment (or “screening”) for more insight into your behavioral health needs. Screenings do not provide a diagnosis and simply offer suggestions. It’s a good idea to share your screening results with your provider.

No referral needed

You don’t need a referral from your primary care physician to access behavioral health services. When you’re ready, make an appointment with a behavioral health provider through one of our in-network resources.

Mindpath Health

Mindpath Health, formerly Psychiatric Centers at San Diego (PCSD), provides a wide range of services in child and adolescent, adult, and geriatric psychiatry and psychotherapy. Mindpath Health offers a large variety of areas of expertise and treatment modalities which allows them to provide comprehensive care to their patients. Mindpath Health offers transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS therapy) services in three of their nine conveniently located offices throughout the county. 
 
Mindpath Health offers after-hours and urgent care call services to their patients and has on-call coverage 24/7. Call Mindpath Health toll-free at 1-877-257-7273.


LifeStance Health

LifeStance Health (formerly PsyCare) is a comprehensive outpatient behavioral health group practice with child, adolescent and adult psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, and over 125 therapists, which include PhDs, LCSWs, and MFTs. They all treat a broad range of individual, couple and family issues and psychiatric disorders.

After-hours call services available for existing patients Monday to Friday, 5 pm to 8:30 am, and all day on weekends. Urgent care call services are also available for existing patients during regular business hours and after hours.

Call LifeStance Health at 1-858-279-1223 or learn more on their website.


Independent providers

Our behavioral health network includes independent providers with varying specialties such as child, adult, and geriatric psychiatry, marriage and family therapy, and addiction psychiatry. To obtain routine, after-hours, urgent or emergency mental health services, our providers are available to help.


Telehealth services

Video visits are covered at most in-network behavioral health providers and offer a convenient way for you to access care confidentially from the privacy and comfort of your own home.

Coming soon: A New Mental Health & Substance Use Disorder Partner

We’re excited to announce a partnership with Magellan Healthcare, Inc. in 2024 that will expand our mental health and substance use disorder provider network, connect you with a suite of virtual specialty care, give you 24/7 access to personalized evidence-based digital tools and wellness resources and much more. Learn more in the FAQ below.

More information on Magellan

Who is Magellan?

Magellan1 is a trusted leader in the mental health and substance use disorder industry with over 50 years of experience providing innovative, impactful services to people around the country.

Why is Sharp Health Plan partnering with Magellan?

Sharp Health Plan is partnering with Magellan to ensure our members have access to best-in-class mental health and substance use disorder services that are rooted in high-quality and compassionate care. This exciting new partnership will increase the mental health and substance use disorder provider network for our members, connect them with 24/7 access to personalized, evidence-based digital tools, wellness resources, and much more.

When will this partnership be effective?

The scheduled effective date for this new partnership is Jan. 1, 20242.

Will this change be applicable to my benefit plan?

Magellan will be providing mental health and substance use disorder services for all Sharp Health Plan members, across all benefit plans including our employer group plans, individual and family plans, and Medicare Advantage plans.

Will my mental health and substance use disorder benefits change? What about my copays?

No. Your plan benefits for mental health and substance use disorder services will not change, and your costs for accessing these services will remain the same.

Will this change impact my pharmacy benefits for mental health and substance use disorder medications?

No. There will be no change to your pharmacy benefits through OptumRx for mental health and substance use disorder medications.

Will I need a new member ID card?

No. You will not need a new member ID card.

Can I keep my current mental health and substance use disorder provider?

To receive your plan benefits, you must see a in-network mental health and substance use disorder provider. If your current provider is part of the Magellan network, you will be able to continue seeing them. If your provider is not part of the Magellan network, Magellan will give them a chance to join. If your provider chooses to join the Magellan network, you will be able to continue seeing them. If your provider chooses not to join the Magellan network, you can select a new provider that is in network or request continuity of care with your current provider. Please note, if you are enrolled in a POS plan, you will be able to keep your provider on the Tier 2 or Tier 3 level.

How will I know if my provider is in the Magellan network?

If you have accessed mental health and substance use disorder services in 2023, we will send you a letter letting you know if your current provider is in the Magellan network or not. If they aren’t in the network, we’ll share additional information with you to ensure you are able to continue accessing care.

What is continuity of care?

To receive your plan benefits, you must see an in-network mental health and substance use disorder provider. Please note, if you are enrolled in a POS plan, you will be able to keep your provider on the Tier 2 or Tier 3 level.


If your provider chooses not to join the Magellan network, you can contact Magellan at 1-866-512-6190 beginning Dec. 15, 20232, to request continuity of care. Magellan must approve continuity of care prior to receiving such services. If your request is approved, you will be able to continue seeing your provider until your care is completed or can be safely transferred to an in network mental health or substance use disorder provider. Continuity of care may be provided for the completion of care when you are in an active course of treatment for one of the following conditions:


Condition Length of Time for Continuity of Care
Acute condition Duration of acute condition
Serious chronic condition No more than 12 months from the date of their provider’s contract termination with Sharp Health Plan
Maternal mental health condition 12 months from the maternal mental health condition diagnosis or from the end of pregnancy, whichever occurs later

 

Your requested mental health and substance use disorder provider must agree to provide continued services to you, subject to the same contractual terms and conditions that the provider had in their contract with Sharp Health Plan. If your provider does not agree, Sharp Health Plan is not required to provide continuity of care.

How do I find a new mental health and substance use disorder provider?

Beginning in January2, you can search Magellan’s online provider directory. You can filter by specialty, location and more to find the best fit for you.

Do I need a referral to switch mental health and substance use disorder providers?

No. You don’t need a referral or prior authorization to access outpatient therapy from a provider in the Magellan network. After you choose a provider, contact their office to schedule an appointment as a new patient. Some services, such as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), psychological testing, partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs, will require a referral and prior authorization. Please note that if you have already received a referral and prior authorization by Sharp Health Plan for mental health and substance use disorder services, a new referral and request for prior authorization for the approved services and timeframe is not needed to access these services through a provider in the Magellan network.

Do I need a referral to switch applied behavior analysis (ABA) providers?

No, you don’t need a referral or prior authorization to access outpatient therapy from a provider in the Magellan network. For any new ABA services, your provider will need to request prior authorization from Magellan. Please note that if you have already received a referral and prior authorization from Sharp Health Plan for ABA services, a new referral and request for prior authorization for the approved services and timeframe is not needed to access these services through a provider in the Magellan network.

Who should I contact with questions?

If you have questions, please contact Customer Care at 1-844-483-9013.


1. In California, Magellan is doing business as Human Affairs International of California.

2. Pending regulatory review with the DMHC, the effective date may be later than Jan. 1, 2024.


1 in 5 adults experience mental health challenges

If you or someone close to you is experiencing symptoms of a mental health challenge, get help. Only a mental health professional or medical doctor can provide a diagnosis, but learning how to spot the signs of mental health challenges is the first step to getting help.

Common behavioral health conditions

Anxiety

Learn about the symptoms of anxiety and get access to helpful tools.

  • Trembling or twitching
  • Lightheadedness
  • Sleep problems
  • Inability to concentrate
  • Restlessness
  • Worrying too much

Read more VIEW ALL TOPICS

Depression

Learn about the causes and symptoms of depression like sadness and feelings of helplessness. This topic covers related illnesses like bipolar disorder and SAD, as well as looks at treatment options, like medication, counseling, and lifestyle choices. It also talks about suicidal thoughts and when to call a doctor.

Read more VIEW ALL TOPICS

Trauma and grief

As a medic in Iraq, Tim was always in the midst of suffering. He treated soldiers with horrible wounds. He saw some die. Within one day of returning home, he faced another trauma. His father died of cancer. "He was my best friend for my whole life. That just threw my whole brain out of whack," Tim said.

Read more VIEW ALL TOPICS

Postpartum depression

This topic covers the causes and symptoms of postpartum depression that can occur in the first months after childbirth. Includes treatment with counseling and antidepressant medicines.

Read more VIEW ALL TOPICS

Autism: support and training for the family

Having a family member with autism presents many challenges. Support and training for parents and siblings are important components of treatment. Training family members about autism and how to effectively manage the symptoms can reduce family stress and improve the functioning of the child with autism.

Read more VIEW ALL TOPICS

Bipolar disorder

This illness causes extreme mood swings, ranging from mania (feeling overly energetic) to depression. It is also called manic-depressive disorder. This topic covers treatment with counseling and medicines like mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, and antidepressants.

Read more VIEW ALL TOPICS

Post-traumatic stress disorder

Learn more about the causes and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This topic looks at how treatment can help, the steps you can take, and discusses the most effective treatments — counseling and antidepressant medicines. This topic also includes stories from others in their own words.

Read more VIEW ALL TOPICS

Suicidal thoughts or threats

Suicide occurs almost twice as often as murder. Each year, about 36,000 people in the United States die by suicide. In the U.S.: Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death. Suicide is the third leading cause of death for people ages 15 to 24 and the second leading cause for people ages 25 to 34.

Read more VIEW ALL TOPICS


Featured behavioral health articles

Finding the right therapist can take some time, but it is worth the effort.

Meaningful relationships take some work. These tips can help.

Helping kids name their feelings can lead to better coping with tough emotions.

Dr. Julie Furby demonstrates healing touch therapy that involves balancing the chakras.

Here’s what researchers know so far about how practicing mindfulness affects the heart.

More than just “baby blues,” postpartum depression is very real and can affect both parents.

No-cost health coaching

If you need extra support, our Best Health® wellness program is a great place to start. Sign up for one-on-one sessions with a personal health and lifestyle coach who can help with stress management, healthy eating, physical activity and more.

Behavioral health care benefits

Sharp Health Plan members have access to:

  • Behavioral health care services for all ages
  • Inpatient hospital services
  • Outpatient hospital services
  • Outpatient therapy
  • Autism services
  • Video visits

Log in to your Sharp Health Plan online account to view your Member Handbook and find more information about your benefits.

Important notes on behavioral health coverage

Affordable mental health benefits are built into every plan we offer. Learn more about mental health parity.

Coverage must be obtained through in-network providers. Out-of-network services will not be covered unless approved by Sharp Health Plan.

Behavioral health services will not be approved, denied or modified based solely on the type of admission (voluntary or involuntary) or method of transportation to a health facility.

 


Help hotlines

In addition to the resources listed above, the following hotlines are available to talk over a problem, find information, or get advice.

  • San Diego Access and Crisis Line
    1-888-724-7240
    TDD: 1-619-641-6992
     
  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
    988 or dial 1-800-273-8255
    TTY: Dial 711, then 1-800-273-8255
  • National Domestic Violence Hotline
    1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
    TTY: 1-800-787-3224
    Video phone: 1-855-812-1001
     
  • National Sexual Assault Hotline
    1-800-656-HOPE (4673)