All PlansAdministrativeMedium impact
Encourage Follow-up Care after Hospital Visits for Mental Health
BCBS New Mexico·NM · Psychiatry, Emergency Medicine, Family Medicine +2 more·General
Effective date
Feb 6, 2026
We identified it
Jun 18, 2026
Summary
Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Mexico is encouraging providers to improve follow-up care for members after mental health hospitalizations and emergency department visits. The policy focuses on HEDIS quality measures tracking follow-up visits within 7 and 30 days of discharge for members ages 6 and older.
Action Required
Immediately: Staff should help mental health patients schedule follow-up visits within 7 days of hospital/ED discharge. Providers must use mental illness diagnosis codes (not general medical codes) for follow-up visits to meet HEDIS measures. Coordinate care between behavioral health and primary care providers by sharing progress notes. Reach out to members who cancel mental health follow-up appointments to reschedule promptly.