Clinical Practice Guidelines are the foundation for our Behavioral Health Care Management Program. We review and adopt updates to guidelines at least every two years.
The evidence-based clinical guidelines from nationally recognized sources are designed to provide a framework for contracted providers for evaluating and treating our members. They’re not intended to substitute for a provider’s judgment or establish a protocol for all members with a particular condition. Providers are encouraged to make decisions based on their own judgment and the most current evidence-based information available. Guidelines for the use of psychotropic medication management are included within each guideline. If you have questions, email our Behavioral Health Quality Improvement team.
The guidelines apply to services provided to our members who have behavioral health benefits through our individual and family, and group plans, including Federal Employee Program® members. The guidelines also apply to our government plans.
Acute Stress Disorder and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
- “Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Patients with Acute Stress Disorder and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder” (2004) American Psychiatric Association
- “Guideline Watch: Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Patients with Acute Stress Disorder and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder” (2009) American Psychiatric Association
- “VA/DOD Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder and Acute Stress Disorder” (2023) Department of Veterans Affairs/Department of Defense
- “Post-traumatic Stress Disorder” (2018) National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
- “Clinical Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder in Adults" (2025) American Psychological Association
Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias
- “Treatment of Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias, 2nd Edition” (2007) American Psychiatric Association
- “Guideline Watch: Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias” (2014) American Psychiatric Association
- “The American Psychiatric Association Practice Guideline on the Use of Antipsychotics to Treat Agitation or Psychosis in Patients with Dementia” (2016) American Psychiatric Association
- “Practice Guideline Update Summary: Mild Cognitive Impairment” (2018) American Academy of Neurology
- “Neuropsychological Evaluation in Adults” (2019) American Family Physician
- “APA Guidelines for the Evaluation of Dementia and Age Related Cognitive Change” (2021) American Psychological Association
- “Alzheimer's Association Clinical Practice Guideline on the Use of Blood‐based Biomarkers in the Diagnostic Workup of Suspected Alzheimer's Disease within Specialized Care Settings” (2025) Alzheimer’s and Dementia Journal
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
- “Clinical Practice Guideline for the Diagnosis, Evaluation and Treatment of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Children and Adolescents” (2019) American Academy of Pediatrics
- “Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Diagnosis and Management” (2018) National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
- “Society for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics Clinical Practice Guideline for the Assessment and Treatment of Children and Adolescents with Complex Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder” (2020) Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics
Autism
- “Practice Parameter for the Assessment and Treatment of Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder” (2014) American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- “Autism Spectrum Disorder in Adults: Diagnosis and Management” (2012) National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
- “Early Screening of Autism Spectrum Disorder: Recommendations for Practice and Research” (2015) American Academy of Pediatrics
- “Identification, Evaluation and Management of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder” (2020) American Academy of Pediatrics
Bipolar
- “Guideline Watch: Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Patients with Bipolar Disorder, 2nd Edition” (2005) American Psychiatric Association
- “VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline for Management of Bipolar Disorder” (2023) Department of Veterans Affairs/Department of Defense
Depression
- “Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Patients with Major Depressive Disorder, 3rd Edition” (2010) American Psychiatric Association
- “Practice Parameter for the Assessment and Treatment of Children and Adolescents with Depressive Disorders” (2007) American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- “VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of Major Depressive Disorder” (2022) Department of Veterans Affairs/Department of Defense
- “Nonpharmacologic Versus Pharmacologic Treatment of Adult Patients With Major Depressive Disorder: A Clinical Practice Guideline from the American College of Physicians” (2016) American College of Physicians
- “Depression in Adults: Recognition and Management” (first published 2009, updated 2022) National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
- “Clinical Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Depression Across Three Age Cohorts” (2019) American Psychological Association
- “Depression in Children and Young People: Identification and Management” (2019) National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
- “Guidelines for Adolescent Depression in Primary Care: Part I. Practice Preparation, Identification, Assessment and Initial Management” (2018) American Academy of Pediatrics
- “Guidelines for Adolescent Depression in Primary Care: Part II. Treatment and Ongoing Management” (2018) American Academy of Pediatrics
- “Clinical Practice Guideline for the Assessment and Treatment of Children and Adolescents with Major and Persistent Depressive Disorders” (2023) Journal of American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Eating Disorders
- “Eating Disorders: Recognition and Treatment” (May 2017) National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
- “Identification and Management of Eating Disorders in Children and Adolescents” (2021) American Academy of Pediatrics
- “Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Patients With Eating Disorders Fourth Edition” (2023) American Psychiatric Association
- “United States-based Practice Guidelines for Children and Adolescents With Eating Disorders" (2025) Journal of Eating Disorders
General
- “Practice Guidelines for the Psychiatric Evaluation of Adults” (2016) American Psychiatric Association
- “APA Guidelines on Evidence-Based Psychological Practice in Health Care” (2021) American Psychological Association
- “Principles of Care for Treatment of Children and Adolescents with Mental Illnesses in Residential Treatment Centers” (2010) American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- “Clinical Update: Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health Care in Community Systems of Care” (2023) American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- “Clinical Update: Collaborative Mental Health Care for Children and Adolescents in Pediatric Primary Care” (2023) American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- “Psychosocial Interventions for Older Adults With Serious Mental Illness” (2021) Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
- “Psychiatric Assessment and Diagnosis in Older Adults” (2009) Geriatric Psychiatry
- “Primary Care and Mental Health: Overview of Integrated Care Models” (2021) Journal of Nurse Practitioners
Generalized Anxiety and Panic Disorders
- “Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Patients with Panic Disorder, 2nd Edition” (2009) American Psychiatric Association
- “Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Panic Disorder in Adults” (2022) American Family Physician
- “Clinical Practice Guideline for the Assessment and Treatment of Children and Adolescents with Anxiety Disorders” (2020) American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
- “VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline for Management of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder And Acute Stress Disorder” (2023) Department of Veterans Affairs Department of Defense
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
- “Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Patients with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder” (2007) American Psychiatric Association
- “Guideline Watch: Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Patients with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder” (2013) American Psychiatric Association
- “Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Diagnosis and Management” (2015) American Family Physician
- “Practice Parameter for the Assessment and Treatment of Children and Adolescents with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder” (2012) American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- “Evidence-based Pharmacological Treatment of Anxiety Disorders, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A Revision of the 2005 Guidelines” (2014) British Association for Psychopharmacology
Schizophrenia
- “Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Patients with Schizophrenia, 3rd Edition” (2021) American Psychiatric Association
- “Practice Parameter for the Assessment and Treatment of Children and Adolescents with Schizophrenia” (2013) American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- “Evidence-based Guidelines for the Pharmacological Treatment of Schizophrenia: Updated Recommendations from the British Association for Psychopharmacology” (2019) Journal of Psychopharmacology
- “Psychosis and Schizophrenia in Children and Young People; Recognition and Management” (updated 2016) National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
- “VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guidelines: Management of First-Episode Psychosis and Schizophrenia” (2023) Department of Veterans Affairs/Department of Defense
Substance Use Disorders
- General
- “VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of Substance Use Disorders” (2021) Department of Veterans Affairs/Department of Defense
- “TIP 42 Substance Abuse Treatment for Persons with Co-occurring Disorders” (2013, revised 2020) SAMHSA
- “Treatment of Stimulant Use Disorders” (2020) SAMHSA
- “Advisory: Using Motivational Interviewing in Substance Use Disorder Treatment” SAMHSA
- “ASAM/AAAP Clinical Practice Guideline on the Management of Stimulant Use Disorder” (2024) Journal of Addiction Medicine
- “Joint Clinical Practice Guideline on Benzodiazepine Tapering: Considerations when Benzodiazepine Risks Outweigh Benefits” (2025) American Society for Addiction Medicine
-Alcohol
- “Practice Guideline for the Pharmacological Treatment of Patients with Alcohol Use Disorder” (2018) American Psychiatric Association
- “Medication for the Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder: A Brief Guide” (2015) SAMHSA
- “Alcohol Screening and Brief Intervention for Youth, A Practitioner's Guide Produced in Collaboration with the American Academy of Pediatrics” (Revised 2015, Reprinted 2019) National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
- “The ASAM Clinical Practice Guideline on Alcohol Withdrawal Management” (2020) American Society of Addiction Medicine
-Opioid
- “The ASAM National Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder 2020 Focused Update” (2020) American Society of Addiction Medicine
- “TIP 63 Executive Summary Medications for Opioid Use Disorder” (2021) SAMHSA
- “Pain Management Best Practices Inter-Agency Task Force Report” (2019)
- “Medication for Adolescents and Young Adults with Opioid Use Disorder” (2020) The Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine
- “CDC Clinical Practice Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Pain” (2022) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- “VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline for the Use of Opioids in the Management of Chronic Pain” (2022) Department of Veterans Affairs/Department of Defense
Suicidal Behaviors
- “VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline for Assessment and Management of Patients at Risk for Suicide” (2024) Department of Veterans Affairs/Department of Defense
- “Practice Guideline for the Assessment and Treatment of Patients With Suicidal Behaviors” (2010) American Psychiatric Association
Telehealth
- “Best Practices in Videoconferencing-Based Telemental Health” (2018) American Psychiatric Association and American Telemedicine Association
- “General Provider Telehealth and Telemedicine Tool Kit” (2020) Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
- “Telepsychiatry Toolkit” (2020) American Psychiatric Association
- “Practice Guidelines for Telemental Health with Children and Adolescents” (2017) American Telemedicine Association
- “Telehealth for the Treatment of Serious Mental Illness and Substance Use Disorders” (2021) SAMHSA
- “Clinical Update: Telepsychiatry with Children and Adolescents” (2017) American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Multicultural Counseling
- “The American Psychiatric Association Practice Guidelines for the Psychiatric Evaluation of Adults: Guideline V. Assessment of Cultural Factors” (2016) American Psychiatric Association
- “Cultural Diversity and Mental Health: Considerations for Policy and Practice" (2018) Frontiers Public Health
- “Multicultural Guidelines: An Ecological Approach to Context, Identity, and Intersectionality” (2017) American Psychological Association
Electroconvulsive Therapy
- “American Psychiatric Association: Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Patients With Major Depressive Disorder”, pages 44-46 (2010) American Psychiatric Association
Reproductive, Prenatal and Postpartum Mental Health
- “Resource Document on Psychiatric Aspects of Infertility” (2019) American Psychiatric Association
- “Special Report: Women’s Reproductive Mental Health - A Clinical Framework” (2022) Psychiatric News
- “Perinatal Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders” (2023) American Psychiatric Association
Trauma-Informed Care
- “TIP 57: A Treatment Improvement Protocol: Trauma-Informed Care in Behavioral Health Services” (2014) SAMHSA
- “Stress and Trauma Toolkit for Treating Historically Marginalized Populations in a Changing Political and Social Environment”, American Psychiatric Association
The Behavioral Health Care Management Programs offered by BCBS serve members suffering from Depression, Alcohol/Substance Abuse Disorders, Anxiety/Panic Disorders, Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Eating Disorders, Schizophrenia and other Psychotic Disorders. If a professional provider has a patient who may benefit from participating in one of the above-mentioned programs, please call Behavioral Health Member Services using the number on the back of the Member’s ID card to have the patient screened and considered for enrollment in a Case Management Program. These guidelines are available to both providers and members upon request.
The Behavioral Health Clinical Practice Guidelines are applicable to all HCSC BH product lines including Illinois (MMAI, BCCHP, and MLTSS), Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas Government Programs. These guidelines are designed to assist clinicians by providing a framework for evaluation and treatment of patients and is not intended to either replace a clinician’s judgment or establish a protocol for all patients with a particular condition. Guidelines for the use of Psychotropic Medication Management are included within each Behavioral Health Clinical Practice Guideline.