ST. LOUIS--(Business Wire)--Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Missouri members now have a more
convenient and private way to access help for depression, anxiety and
other types of mental illness. Members can use their smart phone, tablet
or computer to have a live video visit with licensed therapists in the
privacy of their own home or office.

LiveHealth
Online Psychology, recently launched for Missouri consumers, is
available for use by the majority of Anthem’s health plan customers,
including health exchange members. Online therapy visits can help
support consumers when they face common issues such as stress, anxiety,
depression, relationship or parenting issues, grief, panic attacks or
coping with an illness.

Eighteen percent of American adults suffer from mental illness and
another 8 percent suffer from substance abuse problems. Yet, 20 percent
of Americans say they were not able to get the mental health support
they needed.

Access to mental health care treatment can be an issue, especially for
those who live in rural areas and those who don’t have easy access to
transportation.

Seeking help for depression, substance abuse and other types of mental
illness is a big step. LiveHealth Online makes it easier for consumers
to take that step by providing convenient access to licensed therapists
while maintaining their privacy.

Using LiveHealth Online Psychology makes it easier for Anthem members to:

• Have access to a licensed therapist from
  7 a.m. to 11 p.m. during the week and weekends.
• Talk privately with a psychologist or
  therapist from a convenient and
  comfortable environment, such as their own home.
• Schedule the first visit within four days in most cases, and in some
  cases, on demand.
• Pay a similar cost share as an in-person visit.

“Anthem’s top priority is its commitment to ensuring consumers have
expanded access to high-quality, affordable health coverage,” said Jay
Moore, M.D., senior clinical director at Anthem. “We also
recognize the need for health care to become more convenient than ever
before. Making the LiveHealth Online technology available to our members
helps meet that need.”

For more information on how LiveHealth Online Psychology works, go to https://livehealthonline.com/psychology.

About Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Missouri

In Missouri (excluding 30 counties in the Kansas City area) Anthem Blue
Cross and Blue Shield is the trade name for RightCHOICE® Managed Care,
Inc. (RIT), Healthy Alliance® Life Insurance Company (HALIC), and HMO
Missouri, Inc. RIT and certain affiliates administer non-HMO benefits
underwritten by HALIC and HMO benefits underwritten by HMO Missouri,
Inc. RIT and certain affiliates only provide administrative services for
self-funded plans and do not underwrite benefits. Independent licensees
of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, ®ANTHEM is a registered
trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. The Blue Cross and Blue
Shield names and symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross Blue
Shield Association.

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Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Missouri
Deb
Wiethop, 314-923-4767
deborah.wiethop@bcbsmo.com