Independence Blue Cross’s expanded behavioral health services deliver faster care, improved health outcomes, and reduced costs

PHILADELPHIA, May 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Independence Blue Cross (IBX) is closing critical gaps in care and delivering impactful results with its expanded behavioral health services (which include services for both mental health and substance use disorder).

A key part of these services is the IBX Connect to Care provider network, which uses IBX’s live intake and scheduling tools to help members quickly find and book appointments for care. In 2024, more than 15,000 IBX members used Connect to Care providers and more than half of those members were seeking help for the first time.

“The results we’re seeing from this work are significant and reflect our commitment to advance equitable, whole-person health,” said Dr. Rodrigo Cerdá, senior vice president of Health Services and chief medical officer at Independence Blue Cross. “By improving access and streamlining care, we are helping members receive treatment more quickly. At the same time, we are driving better health outcomes, increasing outpatient care usage, and reducing overall health care costs. It’s a win for everyone.”

IBX’s commitment to behavioral health is delivering real results:

• Faster access to care. Through IBX’s Connect to Care provider network, members are receiving behavioral health care in record time. Appointments are available in under 6 days, with an average wait time of just 4.8 days when scheduled by IBX directly (the national average is 6 weeks or more). This timely access ensures members get the help they need when they need it most.
• Improved Health Outcomes. Members who got behavioral health care through IBX’s Connect to Care provider network experienced improvements in their symptoms. Among those with moderate to severe depression, symptoms decreased by an average of 44 percent, while members with moderate to severe anxiety saw a 42 percent reduction in symptoms.
• Increased utilization of outpatient services. IBX has seen a 14 percent increase in outpatient behavioral health usage thanks to its Connect to Care provider network. This shift to preventive and ongoing care has helped reduce the need for inpatient visits and is improving the overall efficiency of the health care system. It has also led to an estimated $9.7 million in reduced health care costs.
• Reaching New Patients. In 2024 alone, more than 15,000 members used IBX’s behavioral program; over half of those members were seeking help for the first time. In 2024, 55 percent of members who used the Connect to Care provider network were accessing behavioral health services for the first time. This highlights IBX’s success in increasing access to care.

“We know behavioral health is personal. We want our members to feel supported and understood, while receiving the care they need, when they need it,” said Dr. Ryan Connolly, senior medical director for Behavioral Health at Independence Blue Cross. “That’s why our care doesn’t stop with making connections. Our Behavioral Health Case Managers, Care Advocates, and Clinical Triage Team help members every step of the way. This includes closing care gaps, helping members navigate their care, and focusing on urgent needs.”

For more information on IBX’s behavioral health services, visit www.ibx.com/get-care/behavioral-health.

About Independence Blue Cross:
Independence Blue Cross is the leading health insurance organization in southeastern Pennsylvania. For more than 85 years, we have been enhancing the health and well-being of the people and communities we serve. We deliver innovative and competitively priced health care products and services; pioneer new ways to reward doctors, hospitals, and other health care professionals for coordinated, quality care; and support programs and events that promote wellness. To learn more, visit ibx.com. Connect with us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram. Independence Blue Cross is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

CONTACT: Diana Quattrone
215-815-7828 (cell)
Diana.Quattrone@ibx.com

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SOURCE Independence Blue Cross