Case Study: BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina achieves expanded access to virtual behavioral healthcare for rural members with Teladoc Health

Reaching members in rural areas with virtual behavioral healthcare

BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina faced limited access to mental healthcare for many members living in rural communities, compounded by stigma, high out-of-pocket costs, and a shortage of local providers. To overcome these barriers, the plan partnered with Teladoc Health to offer virtual behavioral health and general virtual care accessible by phone, web, and mobile app.

Teladoc Health’s virtual care platform and collaborative engagement strategy (a partnership in place since 2012, with virtual behavioral health launched in 2018) expanded access and drove measurable results: Teladoc Health helped more than 28,000 BCBSSC members in 2018, achieved a 9.7% utilization rate through benefit design and outreach, produced a 15% higher virtual visit volume Jan–Apr 2019 versus all of 2018, and delivered clinical improvements (72% of patients with anxiety and 69% with depression improved after just two virtual visits), along with millions in cost savings and improved member experience.

BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina

Raad Joseph

Senior Vice President