Blue Option Plus

Blue Option Plus is a Health and Recovery Plan, or HARP, approved by New York State. Blue Option Plus is a new kind of plan that provides Medicaid members with specific behavior health needs, with an enhanced benefit package so they can receive their health care, plus care for behavioral health such as mental health, substance use disorder and rehabilitation from one integrated plan.

Blue Option Plus is a special health care plan with providers who have a lot of experience treating persons who may need mental health and/or substance use care to get healthy, be healthy and stay healthy. We also provide care management services to help you and your health care team to work together to keep you as healthy as possible. You and your health care team will work together to make sure you enjoy the best physical and emotional health possible. You can get special services for healthy living, such as nutrition classes and help to stop smoking. In addition, Blue Option Plus offers care coordination to help you reach your goals.

To be eligible for Blue Option Plus, you must be 21 years of age or older, Medicaid eligible, do not have Medicare and reside in our service area.

Blue Option Plus offers additional support through Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) and Community Oriented Recovery Empowerment (CORE) services. HCBS and/or CORE can help you with life goals such as employment, school, or other areas of your life you want to work on. To find out if you qualify, a Health Home Care Manager must complete a brief screening with you that will show if you can benefit from these services. If the screening shows you can benefit, the Care Manager will complete a full assessment with you to find out what your whole health needs are including physical, behavioral and rehabilitation services.

Services

Blue Option Plus Services

Behavioral health care includes mental health and substance use (alcohol and drugs) treatment and rehabilitation services. All of our members have access to services to help with emotional health, or to help with alcohol or other substance use issues. These services include:

Mental Health Care

Clinic
Inpatient mental health treatment
Partial hospital care
Continuing day treatment
Personalized Recovery Oriented Services (PROS)
Assertive Community Treatment Services (ACT)
Individual and group counseling
Crisis intervention services

Substance Use Disorder Services

Inpatient and outpatient substance use disorder (alcohol and drug) treatment
Inpatient detoxification services
Opioid, including medication assisted treatment or Opioid Treatment Program
Residential substance use disorder treatment
Outpatient alcohol and drug treatment services
Detox services

HCBS/CORE Services

HCBS/CORE services may help you:

Find housing
Live independently
Return to school
Find a job
Get help from people who have been there
Manage stress
Prevent crises

Benefits From Our Plan or With Your Medicaid Card

For some services, you can choose where to get your care. You can get these services by using your Blue Option Plus membership card. You can also go to providers who will take your Medicaid Benefit card. You do not need a referral from your PCP to get these services. Call Customer Care at 1-800-650-4359 (TTY 711) if you have questions.

Family Planning

To find out more about how to access these services, please talk to your provider or contact Customer Care at 1-800-650-4359 (TTY 711).

If you are experiencing a crisis you can call us at 1-800-650-4359 (TTY 711).

Transitional Age Youth (TAY)

For more information on resources and services available to young people transitioning to adulthood please visit the Office of Mental Health (OMH) website. This site provides a complete listing of resources for young adults and their families.

Social Care Networks (SCN)

What is a Social Care Network?
Social Care Networks are trusted organizations with an understanding of the community and available resources. SCNs provide screening for our members to determine if additional services can be offered to address health-related social needs. Your SCN is listed by county below.

How can it help me?
This service is available as of January 1, 2025. If you are eligible, you may receive assistance related to:

Housing issues and utilities support
Assistance with food and nutrition
Transportation services
Care management

How do I know if I'm eligible for assistance?
After being screened by the SCN, you will be informed of your eligibility. Not all members will qualify, but reaching out to the SCN in your county is the first step.

How do I find the SCN in my county?
Broome and Otsego Counties: Care Compass
Herkimer, Oneida, and Onondaga Counties: Healthy Alliance
Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Seneca, Wayne, and Yates Counties: Forward Leading Independent Provider Association (FLIPA)

Forums

Advocacy Organizations/Volunteer Opportunities/Support Services/Community Forums

There are many opportunities available for members and their families to get involved in volunteer activities, committees, work groups, community forums and connect with advocacy services. Listed are some of the community organizations that are available to our members and their families for support, guidance and advocacy.

We also offer Behavioral Health Case Management services to our members and their families. Our Behavioral Health Case Managers can assist you with understanding your insurance benefits, understanding your treatment options, locating and connecting with area treatment providers for mental health and substance use treatment and much more. If you or a loved one have questions or need assistance please reach out to one of our Behavioral Health Case Managers who can be reached at 1-844-694-6411 (TTY 711). A Behavioral Health Case Manager will be able to assist you during our normal business hours. If calling after hours you will be connected with a live nurse through Fonemed.

We also offer Behavioral Health Advocacy services to our members and providers when a request for treatment has been denied. Our Behavioral Health Advocate is available to assist you and your provider in understanding the denial decision as well as with the process for pursuing appeals, and in identifying participating providers. Our Behavioral Health Advocate can be reached at 1-844-635-2662 (TTY 711).

Mental Health Association of Rochester offers listings of services and support groups for Monroe, Livingston and Wyoming Counties.
National Eating Disorder Association will provide information on the diagnoses and also provides assistance with finding eating disorder providers and supports.
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) offers local support groups that can be searched by state.
Alcoholics Anonymous is a group of peers open to everyone who has struggled with alcohol. This site offers information on AA.
New York State Alcoholics Anonymous offers support groups run by peers offering support and guidance. This site provides a listing of area AA meetings.
Narcotics Anonymous offers support groups run by peers offering support and guidance to those who wish to pursue and maintain a drug-free lifestyle. This site offers information on Narcotics Anonymous and also a listing of area NA Meetings.
Spiritus Christi Church is located in the Rochester area and offers free mental health services and support groups.
Secular Organizations for Sobriety is an informational site on SOS which is a nonprofit network of autonomous, nonprofessional local groups dedicated solely to helping individuals achieve and maintain sobriety. There are groups meeting in many cities throughout the US and other countries.
Al-Anon offers support to friends and families of problem drinkers. This site offers information on Al-Anon and provides information on local Al-Anon support groups.
National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Rochester area organization offers community education on addiction related topics.