CommercialAdministrativeMedium impact
No Referral Needed for Commercial Members to See In-Network Behavioral Health Provider
BCBS Texas·TX · Psychiatry, Family Medicine, Internal Medicine +2 more·General
Effective date
Feb 9, 2026
We identified it
May 3, 2026
Summary
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas no longer requires referrals from primary care physicians for commercial members to see in-network behavioral health providers, in accordance with the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act. For out-of-network behavioral health referrals, PCPs must call the provider services number instead of using Availity.
Action Required
By February 9, 2026: Front desk staff must stop requiring referrals for commercial members seeing in-network behavioral health providers. Update scheduling protocols and member verification processes. For out-of-network behavioral health referrals, staff must call the provider services number on the member's ID card rather than submitting through Availity Essentials.