With the ongoing stress and uncertainty of the pandemic, mental health care has become a priority for many people’s well-being.
As a King County Employee, you have access to comprehensive health care coverage, including mental health coverage. Balanced You recognizes it can be overwhelming to keep track of all the benefits available to you and aims to equip you with information to know and use your benefits. A common theme among many employees is the struggle to find the right mental health care provider. Whether your insurance provider is Kaiser or Regence, there are robust tools at your fingertips to connect you with a mental health care provider.
Mental health care providers include psychiatrists, psychologists, or master’s level therapists. They treat a wide range of conditions, from temporary anxiety brought on by stress, to longer-lasting conditions like bipolar disorder. Your provider will work closely with you to offer guidance and help improve your ability to achieve life goals.
Mental Health Care for Kaiser Members
To access a mental health care provider outside of the primary care setting, or find addiction treatment, call 1-888-287-2680, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. For an online option, log into your Kaiser account and start a secure message or care chat. No referral is needed to access mental health services or wellness resources. More information on the Kaiser Permanente Mental Health page.
You will be asked a few questions to determine your mental health needs. The questions also help to match you with a specialist you’ll feel comfortable with. You will then be referred to a Kaiser Permanente clinician or a community provider in your plan network, depending on your care needs and where you’re located.
Mental Health Care for Regence Members
Quartet
Regence members have access to Quartet, a service that connects you to the mental health care that’s right for you. Whether it’s therapy, psychiatry, or other care options, visit: qrt.care/kingcounty and Quartet will match you to mental health care that fits your needs. No referral is needed, and Quartet’s platform and services are free for you to use.
When you contact Quartet, their Care Navigators will verify your insurance and ask a few questions about you and your needs. Then, a matched provider will reach out to you to set up an appointment. If, after your first appointment, the provider doesn’t feel like a good fit, just let Quartet know and they’ll match you to another. Quartet’s Care Navigators are available every step of the way to help you understand your options.
Dr. on Demand
Avoid the high cost and long wait of the emergency room and see a board-certified physician or licensed psychologist, 24/7. Connect with a provider in minutes, face to face right from your smartphone, tablet or computer. Video visits are convenient and fit into your schedule. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, King County has waived visit copays. There are no additional setup or monthly fees. Visit doctorondemand.com/regence-wa to get started.
Making Life Easier
Making Life Easier (MLE) is available to all King County employees, offering a referral to a therapist and coverage for eight free sessions per topic per year. Many therapists also contract with the Regence and Kaiser Permanente Health Plans so MLE can make a referral for you to a therapist who is also in your health plan network. In that way, if you need more than eight sessions, your health plan benefits will cover your therapy sessions starting with the ninth visit.
Making Life Easier Program Includes:
- Personal counseling
- Legal and financial services
- Childcare services
- Adult and elder care services
Making Life Easier is available to all King County employees, as well as everyone who shares their address, including family and roommates. Access the program here with user name: King County or call 1-888-874-7290.