BlueCross BlueShield Psychiatrists in San Francisco, CA

BlueCross BlueShield insurance provides coverage for behavioral health services in San Francisco. BCBS HMO-style plans cover in-network providers while PPO plans provide a benefit that can be applied to either in-network or out-of-network providers. Blue Cross Blue Shield may not require a referral from your primary care practitioner for covered behavioral health services.

Some BCBS Psychiatrists in San Francisco only have room for a few insurance slots in their schedule, so it's important to confirm in-network availability when you book your first appointment.

Blue Cross Blue Shield companies are independently owned and community-based healthcare insurers. BCBS is the largest health insurer in the US, covering 110 million members in 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. Nationwide, more than 1.7 million health care providers contract with Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies.

Here’s a link to more information on how insurance works to cover behavioral health benefits.

A Psychiatrist in San Francisco is a qualified medical doctor who specializes in treating mental health issues and diagnosable disorders.

San Francisco Psychiatrists differ from other mental health professionals in that they may prescribe medication as well as practice psychotherapy in treatment. Sometimes, Psychiatrists form part of a clinical team in which they will diagnose and prescribe, while psychologists or therapists provide the client's psychotherapy.

As part of a clinical assessment, Psychiatrists may conduct physical examinations, take blood tests, and order and interpret lab tests and brain image scans, such as CT scans, CAT Scans, and MRIs.

The field of psychiatry in San Francisco has many sub-specialties, including pediatric psychiatry. Those who work with the elderly are called geriatric psychiatrists.

Other related sub-specialties include cognition psychiatry, addiction psychiatry, psychosomatic, forensic, reproductive medicine specialties, psychopharmacology , psychiatric genetics, neuroimaging, and clinical neurophysiology.

Psychiatric nurse practitioners in San Francisco, or mental health nurse practitioners, generally have an MS degree in nursing (MSN) and a number of years of training to become certified. Psychiatric nurse practitioners are able to assess and diagnose mental health conditions and prescribe medication. San Francisco Psychiatric nurse practitioners also have training that enables them to include psychotherapy with treatment.