All PlansAdministrativeMedium impact
Encourage Follow-up Care after Hospital Visits for Mental Health
BCBS Texas·TX · Psychiatry, Emergency Medicine, Family Medicine +1 more·General
Effective date
Feb 6, 2026
We identified it
May 3, 2026
Summary
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas is encouraging providers to schedule follow-up care within 7-30 days after hospital or emergency department visits for mental health conditions. This policy tracks HEDIS measures for follow-up care quality and provides guidance to improve patient outcomes and reduce readmissions.
Action Required
Immediately: Clinical staff should establish workflows to encourage mental health patients to schedule follow-up appointments within 7 days of hospital/ED discharge. Update discharge procedures to help patients schedule in-person or telehealth visits. Ensure follow-up visits use mental health diagnosis codes consistent with the original admission. Coordinate care between behavioral health and primary care providers by sharing progress notes.