Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Treatment

What are Signs and Symptoms of an Obsessive Compulsive Disorder?

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), is a pervasive mental health condition that often includes uncontrollable and recurrent thoughts, engaging in repetitive behaviors, or a combination of both. OCD is known to be time-consuming, which can interfere with a person’s ability to move about their daily life. 

While the exact cause of OCD is unknown, risk factors that can increase a person’s risk of developing OCD include having a parent or sibling who has OCD, differences in your brain structure (specifically your frontal cortex and subcortical structures), being reserved or having negative emotions frequently, and a history of childhood trauma. Common symptoms associated with OCD include:

• Obsessions can be described as repeated thoughts, mental images, or urges that are typically unwanted, and intrusive, and may cause anxiety symptoms, despite the individual’s desire and attempts to control or stop them. Some of the common obsessions that we see include:
  • Fear of contamination or germs.
  • Concern with order, symmetry, or precision.
  • Fear of harm coming to oneself or others.
  • Unwanted aggressive or sexual thoughts.
  • Aggressive thoughts towards yourself or others
  • Fear of forgetting, losing, or misplacing something
  • Desire to have things symmetrical and in order

• Compulsions are repetitive behaviors that occur after an individual experiences an urge, which commonly results from obsessions. Some common compulsions that individuals with OCD experience include:
  • Excessive handwashing, showering, or cleaning 
  • Checking and rechecking, this could be checking to make sure doors are locked or that appliances are off or unplugged 
  • Counting, repeating words silently, or performing other rituals to reduce anxiety.
  • Arranging or organizing objects in a specific way 
  • Mental rituals, such as silently praying or reciting phrases

Is OCD a Lifelong Condition?

OCD is generally considered a chronic, or long-term, behavioral health condition. While some individuals may experience periods of symptom remission or reduced severity with treatment, OCD often remains a lifelong challenge for many. Even when symptoms improve, they can resurface during times of stress or change, requiring ongoing management and support.

However, the course of OCD can vary widely among individuals. Some may find that their symptoms become less severe over time, while others may continue to struggle with persistent symptoms throughout their lives. Treatment options such as therapy, OCD medications, and peer support groups for OCD can help you learn to manage your symptoms, decreasing its negative impact on your functioning. Early intervention and consistent treatment can play a crucial role in minimizing the impact of OCD and improving long-term outcomes.

More Information About Blue Cross Blue Shield Health Insurance

Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) came to be in the early 20th century, with the founding of the first Blue Cross plan in 1929 by a group of Dallas teachers. This marked the beginning of a groundbreaking approach, providing prepaid hospital care to subscribers. In 1939, the first Blue Shield plan emerged in California, offering coverage for physician services.

Eventually, the Blue Cross and Blue Shield organizations merged to form the comprehensive network known today as the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. BCBS sets itself apart from competitors, being made up of local insurance companies that tailor their coverage options to the unique needs within their community. Members have access to additional benefits since these smaller companies fall under the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association umbrella. 

BCBS Plans and Services

Examples of commonly used BCBS plans and services include:

• Health insurance plans: Health insurance plans can be customized for individuals, families, and employers. This can include Medicare plans and Medicaid Managed Care Plans.

• Wellness Programs: Available wellness programs may include health risk assessments, preventative care services, and chronic disease management services

• Telehealth Services: Telehealth services increase access to non-emergency health needs, including virtual doctor appointments and telemedicine consultations

• Pharmacy Benefits: This can include prescription drug coverage and, in some cases, mail-order pharmacy services

• Behavioral Health Services: Often include comprehensive counseling, therapy, and other treatment services for mental health and substance use disorders

• Health and Wellness Resources: This can include access to an online health portal and mobile apps that can be used for health tracking and management

Does Blue Cross Blue Shield Cover OCD Testing, Therapy, and Counseling?

For those wondering, does Blue Cross Blue Shield cover therapy, the answer is, yes! Additionally, BCBS typically provides coverage for OCD screening and testing. This is an important question to ask because screeners, questionnaires, and other assessments are often used during assessments to gain an understanding of OCD symptoms so that an accurate diagnosis can be made.

These tools can help determine which type of OCD you are experiencing, and rate the severity of your symptoms. This information is then used to determine which level of care would best suit your needs and to craft your personalized treatment plan, which often includes counseling and therapy services. Your treatment plan may incorporate the use of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness practices, and supportive counseling to help you learn new coping strategies for OCD, reducing your overall level of psychological distress. 

Does Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) Cover Psychiatrist Visits for OCD?

Psychiatrists are medical professionals who specialize in mental health. This allows them to assess and treat various mental health conditions, including obsessive-compulsive disorder. Psychiatrists often focus on medical interventions, including the use of OCD medications. They may also provide counseling and therapy services. 

You may encounter a psychiatrist in an inpatient or outpatient treatment facility, and maintain care for a long period of time. Individuals living with OCD often find that their level of distress and overall impairment from OCD decreases with the use of medications. Your doctor will work with you to find the right medication regimen for your body and your symptoms. BCBS does typically provide coverage for policyholders who need care from a psychiatrist due to mental health concerns. 

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Programs Covered by Blue Cross Blue Shield

OCD is an individualized mental health condition, meaning that you likely have differences in the severity of your symptoms, and the way that they affect your day-to-day life. To manage these differences, we have various levels of mental health treatment programs that differ in the intensity, frequency, and duration of care they provide. Commonly rehab programs that accept BCBS include: