Networks change. We verify your specific BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina plan before your first visit; call with your member ID and we will confirm benefits, copay and any referral or authorization requirements.
Also appears on cards as: BCBS SC, BlueChoice HealthPlan of South Carolina, BCBSSC. Offered in South Carolina.
BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina is the state's largest insurer and the Blue licensee for South Carolina, covering employer groups, individual plans, the State Health Plan for public employees through its PEBA contract, and the Federal Employee Program. Behavioral health is covered under the same deductible and copay rules as medical care. Most PPO plans charge a specialist copay or coinsurance for a psychiatry visit, and the State Health Plan uses coinsurance after the deductible. BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina does not require primary care referrals for in-network mental health visits. Telehealth psychiatry is covered for members located in South Carolina, with video visits paid at parity under state law.
For Deep TMS, the plan's medical policy covers TMS for severe major depressive disorder when you have not responded to at least two antidepressants at adequate dose and duration and have tried psychotherapy, with prior authorization required and an initial approval of a standard course. Spravato is covered with prior authorization and documentation of treatment-resistant depression, an oral antidepressant and REMS-certified administration. Our South Carolina offices at Goose Creek, Lexington, Bluffton and Hilton Head Island provide evaluation and medication management; TMS and Spravato are currently delivered at our Florida offices, so South Carolina members considering them should discuss travel and coverage with us first.
What we check before your visit
- Whether your plan is in network at the office you chose and for telehealth
- Your copay or coinsurance for an evaluation and for follow-ups
- Whether a primary-care referral is required (common with HMO plans)
- Prior-authorization criteria for Deep TMS and Spravato, if those are being considered
Frequently asked questions
Does BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina cover Stedfast Psychiatry visits?
Stedfast Psychiatry accepts most BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina commercial plans at our Goose Creek, Lexington, Bluffton and Hilton Head Island offices. Coverage for State Health Plan and Federal Employee Program members follows those programs' benefit rules. Call the member line on your card or let our staff verify benefits before your first visit.
What is my copay for psychiatry with BCBS of South Carolina?
Most PPO plans charge a specialist office visit copay, often $35 to $60, for outpatient psychiatry. The State Health Plan applies its deductible and then coinsurance. High-deductible plans charge the negotiated rate until the deductible is met. Your plan's summary of benefits lists outpatient mental health cost sharing, and we can check it in advance.
Are telehealth visits covered?
Yes. BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina covers video psychiatry visits at the same level as in-person care for members who are physically in South Carolina during the appointment. This includes evaluations, medication follow-ups and therapy visits. We use a secure video platform and can send the link before your appointment.
Will BCBS of South Carolina cover TMS or Spravato if I travel to Florida?
Both treatments require prior authorization and are reviewed for medical necessity regardless of where they are delivered. Out-of-state care may be covered through the BlueCard network. Because a TMS course involves daily visits over six to nine weeks, discuss logistics with your Stedfast provider before we submit an authorization, so the plan is realistic.
Do I need a referral to see a psychiatrist?
No. BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina plans do not require a primary care referral for in-network behavioral health visits. You can schedule directly with Stedfast Psychiatry. If your employer plan carves behavioral health out to a separate administrator, the back of your card will list that vendor's phone number.