Medicare behavioral health benefits and resources

At UPMC for Life, we believe in the importance of building and maintaining strong mental health and emotional support. We have mental health benefits and resources that can help whether you want to make small changes to improve your life or need help with managing a more complex behavioral health condition.

Browse these important Medicare member behavioral health benefits and resources that can help you effectively manage your health.

Jump to a section:

• Affordable prescriptions
• Reduced copays for behavioral health visits
• Access to behavioral health treatment
• Behavioral health coaching
• Personal care management
• UPMC Resources for Life
• RxWell®

Affordable prescriptions

Part of behavioral health treatment may include managing depression, anxiety, or other conditions with certain medications. That’s why we cover more than 20 medications used for behavioral health conditions on Tier 1 and Tier 2 of our formularies.

Below are some of the antidepressant medications included on Tier 1 and Tier 2 of our UPMC for Life Medicare formularies. You pay $0 when you fill these prescriptions at a preferred pharmacy:

• Citalopram tablet (10 mg, 20 mg, and 40 mg)
• Fluoxetine capsule (10 mg, 20 mg, and 40 mg)
• Sertraline tablet (25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg)
• Escitalopram tablet (5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg)
• Buspirone tablet (5 mg, 10 mg, and 15 mg)

See our complete UPMC for Life formulary based on your plan.

Need help sorting through your medications, or just have a few questions you’d like to ask an expert?

You can schedule a video visit through UPMC AnywhereCare* with one of our licensed pharmacists. Our pharmacists can help you understand each of your medications, suggest ways to save money, and answer your questions. They can even talk with your doctor if you are experiencing side effects.

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Reduced copays for behavioral health visits

Members who have one or more of the following mental health conditions and are eligible for Low-Income Subsidy (LIS) have a reduced copay of $15 for each in-network outpatient mental health therapy visit. Eligible conditions include:

• Bipolar disorder
• Major depressive disorder
• Paranoid disorder
• Schizophrenia
• Schizoaffective disorder

This benefit is part of the Special Supplemental Benefits for the Chronically Ill (SSBCI) program. Not all plans include this benefit. You must have one of the listed conditions and qualify for low-income subsidy (LIS) to be eligible for the SSBCI program. Other eligibility and coverage criteria may apply and having the listed chronic conditions does not guarantee that you meet the requirements. See your Evidence of Coverage for details.

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Access to behavioral health treatment

Our behavioral health coverage includes treatment for the following:

• Emotional difficulties
• Bereavement issues
• Marital or family problems
• Mental health disorders
• Substance abuse or dependence

Get connected with our large network of inpatient and outpatient treatment centers. To find participating providers, visit our find care page, then click Behavioral Health. You can also call 1-888-251-0083 (TTY: 711). Some providers also offer telehealth treatment. Talk to your provider to see if this option is right for you.

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Behavioral health coaching

Members can get one-on-one support from a behavioral health coach for free! Our team of health coaches can help with a variety of concerns such as depression, stress, anxiety, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, substance use, and more. We can help you:

• Better understand your symptoms and know when it’s time to get help.
• Set goals and overcome barriers that may prevent you from reaching those goals.
• Find behavioral health treatment and community resources in your area.

Talk with a licensed behavioral health coach over the phone today. Call UPMC Health Plan Behavioral Health Services toll-free at 1-888-777-8754 (TTY: 711) Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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Personal care management

Our dedicated personal care managers can help you:

• Connect with the best doctors for your needs and coordinate your care.
• Understand your doctor’s instructions after a visit.
• Contact your doctor’s office if a prescription is not filled or a service is not covered, and let you know ways to save money on your medications.
• Find services you may need in your community.

Members can call us toll-free at 1-855-395-8762 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to get started.

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UPMC Resources for Life

Resources for Life can help you with your personal needs. Through this program, you get six personal sessions per concern per year at no cost.** Our counselors can help you cope with family and relationship concerns, stress, grief, and other emotional issues. You also have access to a free legal consultation and a free financial consultation.

Call 1-866-441-4395 (TTY: 711) Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to get started. 

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RxWell

With the RxWell® app, you can get personal support from a health coach for sleep, diabetes management, or family health. You can also participate in self-paced programs for anxiety, stress, depression, nutrition, physical activity, tobacco cessation, and weight management without a health coach. RxWell is FREE and easy to use anytime, right from your smartphone.

Get easy-to-use health support from the comfort and safety of home. Download RxWell from your device's app store.

See additional free benefits and resources for members

*UPMC for Life members who are in Pennsylvania at the time of a virtual visit may select a UPMC-employed provider, subject to availability and discretion of the provider. Members located outside of Pennsylvania at the time of service or those who select Talk Therapy or Psychiatry services will receive care from a provider employed or contracted by Online Care Network II PC (OCN), also known as Amwell Medical Group. OCN is not an affiliate of UPMC. Providers are not available to treat members who are in Puerto Rico

**This benefit is administered through UPMC Resources for Life and is a separate benefit from the outpatient mental health benefits provided under your plan, which may require a copay or other cost sharing. Please see your Evidence of Coverage for details.

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