Behavioral Health Services

Also known as behavioral health, mental health is the balance of the state of functioning of the brain and emotions and how that balance (or imbalance) affects behavior and thoughts.

Primary care providers can prescribe medications to help with any mild to moderate symptoms. Mild to moderate symptoms refer to how mental health and wellness gets in the way with daily life and function. Members should talk to their doctor about how they are feeling. Some SCFHP providers provide mild to moderate services such as talk therapy.

Santa Clara County Behavioral Health Department provides services for those with severe needs that require a higher level of care and treatment. For more information about the how Santa Clara County Behavioral Health Department can help you, please call at 1-800-704-0900 or visit their website at https://bhsd.sccgov.org/home. The county call center is able to help you in the following languages: English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Farsi, Tagalog.

There are many different ways you can locate a provider. One way is to search for a behavioral health provider on the SCFHP website Find a Doctor search tool . Another, is to call SCFHP customer service for Medi-Cal Phone: 1-800-260-2055; TTY: 711 and for DualConnect Phone: 1-877-723-4795; TTY: 711 for assistance. And lastly, you can call the Santa Clara County Behavioral Health Department who will ask screening questions to make sure you are given the right type of provider/clinic to address your needs 1-800-704-0900.

The Early, Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment (EPSDT) benefit provides broad guidance regarding beneficiaries under the age of 21 for both physical and behavioral health care. SCFHP has network providers that provide mild to moderate level services to beneficiaries under the age of 21. Providers can refer to Kidscope, or other developmental clinics to confirm diagnosis and treatment recommendations. The Santa Clara County Behavioral Health Department assists with referrals for children between the ages of 0-5 and their families through the KidConnections Network of Care. The Children, Youth and Family System of Care provides services to children and adolescents and their families who are experiencing extreme emotional distress by addressing behavioral health needs in the least restrictive, most family-like manner possible. To access the services above, please call the Santa Clara County Behavioral Health Department at 1-800-704-0900.

Behavioral health treatment (BHT) includes evaluation, assessment, and treatment for beneficiaries under the age of 21 with or without an Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis. The most common treatment is Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) or social skills groups. BHT can be prescribed by an MD, Surgeon, or licensed psychologist. A prior authorization is required before the member receives services. Authorizations are reviewed for medical necessity every 6 months.

There is no need to get an authorization before starting treatment with a provider in the SCFHP network. Primary care providers need to submit a request for authorization to see a non-contracted (out of network) provider.

Members should talk to their primary care provider about how the use of alcohol and/or other substances affects your physical and mental health. Services to treat alcohol and/or substances are provided through the Santa Clara County Gateway Call Center. To access these services, call 1-800-488-9919. A representative will talk to you about the different types of treatment, then give you instructions on what to do next.

They can call the crisis hotline at 988, 24 hours a day, 7 days week or text “RENEW” to 741741. .

For life-threatening emergencies, call 911 or visit the nearest emergency room for an evaluation. It might be safest for them to have someone help get them there.