If you’re covered by the Motion Picture Industry Health Plan (MPI), you may have low-cost access to psychiatry, medication management, and therapy through Optum Behavioral Health.
Film and television work is rewarding, but the long call times, shifting schedules, and gaps between projects take a toll. If you’ve ever tried to decode your behavioral health benefits at 11 p.m. after a 14-hour day, you’re not alone.
I’m Isaac Berlin, a Los Angeles native and board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner. I completed the Primary Care Psychiatry Fellowship at UC Irvine and am currently an Addiction Medicine Fellow at UCI.
My background in primary care and mental health care helps me assess how physical health, mental health, and substance use may contribute to how you’re feeling, and work with you to determine the next steps in your care.
Quick Answers: MPI Mental Health Coverage at a Glance
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| Which MPI plan includes Optum Behavioral Health? | The Anthem Blue Cross PPO. Kaiser and Health Net HMO members use their own plan’s behavioral health network. |
| What does therapy cost in-network? | Optum’s in-network therapy program is often a $5 copay. Confirm your exact cost with your Summary of Benefits. |
| Is telehealth covered? | Yes, for Anthem PPO members using Optum. Telehealth is treated like in-person care. |
| Do I need a referral? | Typically no. Call the number on your card to confirm pre-authorization rules. |
| Where do I search for providers? | Liveandworkwell.com, access code MPIPHP. |
| Does Be Well accept MPI/Optum? | Yes. Be Well Medical Group accepts Optum Behavioral Health (Motion Picture PPO) and most major insurers. |
How Motion Picture Health Insurance Works
The Motion Picture Industry Pension and Health Plans (MPIPHP) provide health coverage to eligible union-affiliated entertainment workers and their families, primarily in Los Angeles County, including Burbank, Culver City, Studio City, West Hollywood, and Santa Monica.
Eligibility and your “bank of hours”
Coverage is based on hours worked at signatory employers during a qualifying period. Hour requirements can differ by union and by whether you’re a new or continuing participant, so check your own bank of hours with the Plan at (855) 275-4674 or at mpiphp.org.
The three MPI plan options
Once eligible, you choose between:
- Anthem Blue Cross PPO: behavioral health is administered by Optum.
- Kaiser Permanente HMO: mental health care goes through Kaiser.
- Health Net HMO: mental health care goes through Health Net’s network.
This choice matters. Only the Anthem Blue Cross PPO includes Optum Behavioral Health. If you’re on an HMO, confirm in-network options with your plan before booking.
Optum Behavioral Health for MPI Anthem PPO Members
If you’re on the MPI Anthem Blue Cross PPO, your mental health and substance use benefits are administered by Optum Behavioral Health. You can search for in-network providers and set up your account at Liveandworkwell.com using access code MPIPHP.
Through Optum, you can generally access:
- Psychiatric evaluation and medication management for anxiety, depression, insomnia, OCD, ADHD, burnout, and alcohol use concerns
- Talk therapy with licensed clinical social workers (LCSW), marriage and family therapists (LMFT), and psychologists
- Telehealth visits, including online therapy options
- Substance use support, including 24/7 specialist lines for Anthem PPO participants
- Emotional Wellbeing Solutions, a program that includes tools and resources for everyday stress
Out-of-network care may also be available to Anthem PPO participants, though you may need to pay upfront and submit a claim. In-network care is usually simpler and more affordable.
Benefits can change from year to year. Always verify copays, deductibles, and authorization rules in your current Summary of Benefits.
Psychiatric Care at Be Well Medical Group
I’m a medical provider, not a therapist. I diagnose and treat mental health conditions, prescribe medication when it’s helpful, and build evidence-based therapy techniques into every visit.
Therapy-informed medical care
My visits integrate two proven approaches:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): identify and reframe unhelpful thought patterns
- Motivational Interviewing (MI): strengthen motivation and set goals that fit your values and lifestyle
This blended model works well for people with irregular schedules, high-pressure environments, and unpredictable income.
Medical care plus talk therapy
Many patients do best with both. Use the Optum or MPI directory to find a therapist (LCSW, LMFT, or psychologist) for ongoing sessions, and see me for evaluation, medication management, and follow-up. We can coordinate care when that’s helpful.
Conditions I commonly treat
- Anxiety and panic disorders
- Depression and mood instability
- Insomnia and sleep disruption
- Burnout and work-related stress
- OCD and intrusive thoughts
- ADHD (evaluation and management)
- Excessive alcohol use and harm-reduction care
- LGBTQIA+ and gender-affirming mental health (learn about our inclusive approach)
Mental Health Care for Film and TV Professionals in Los Angeles
I know the rhythm of production life: early calls in Burbank, post-production crunches in Culver City, and the stretch of waiting between jobs. Care should fit that reality.
What Be Well Medical Group offers:
- In-person visits in Beverly Hills, convenient to Culver City, West Hollywood, Santa Monica, and Studio City (see locations)
- Telehealth appointments across California and Alaska
- Comprehensive medication management for anxiety, depression, insomnia, burnout, ADHD, OCD, and alcohol use concerns
- Insurance verification before your first visit, so you know your costs up front
- A $150/month membership for patients between projects or coverage periods (see pricing)
Learn more about mental health care at Be Well Medical Group. If you’re based in Alaska, see our Alaska mental health care page.
How to Use Your Motion Picture Insurance for Mental Health Care: Step by Step
- Confirm your plan. Check your card. If it lists Optum Behavioral Health or Liveandworkwell.com, you’re on the Anthem PPO behavioral health network.
- Call the number on your card and ask:
- “What is my copay for behavioral health visits?”
- “Does my deductible apply to outpatient psychiatry?”
- “Do I need pre-authorization for mental health services?”
- Search the directory. Use Liveandworkwell.com (access code MPIPHP) to find in-network providers.
- Book your visit. Schedule an appointment in person or by telehealth. Our team verifies your coverage and explains costs before your first visit.
Why Mental Health Support Matters in Entertainment Work
Long hours, project-to-project income, and creative pressure can make anxiety, burnout, poor sleep, and increased drinking more common. Getting support earlier tends to make care simpler and more effective.
Integrated psychiatric care can help you:
- Stay focused and steady through long production cycles
- Sleep better and recover between projects
- Address alcohol use or stress-related coping habits
- Build resilience and protect your long-term career
Ready to Get Started?
If you’re covered by the Motion Picture Industry Health Plan or looking for flexible, stigma-free psychiatric care in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Burbank, Culver City, Santa Monica, West Hollywood, or Studio City, we’re here to help.
Frequently Asked Questions: Motion Picture Health Insurance and Mental Health Care
Does Motion Picture Health Insurance cover telehealth psychiatry?
Yes, for members on the Anthem Blue Cross PPO with Optum Behavioral Health, telehealth psychiatry is generally covered like in-person care. Confirm your copay and any authorization requirements with the number on your insurance card.
How do I know if my plan uses Optum Behavioral Health?
Check your insurance card for “Optum Behavioral Health” or “Liveandworkwell.com.” Only the MPI Anthem Blue Cross PPO includes Optum. Kaiser and Health Net HMO members use their own plan’s behavioral health networks.
How much does therapy cost with MPI insurance?
In-network therapy through Optum is often available at a $5 copay for Anthem PPO participants. Copays for psychiatry visits can differ, so verify with your Summary of Benefits or by calling the number on your card.
Can I see both a therapist and a psychiatric medical provider?
Yes. Many people benefit from both. A therapist (LCSW, LMFT, or psychologist) provides ongoing talk therapy, while a medical provider like me handles diagnosis, medication management, and follow-up care.
Do I need a referral or pre-authorization?
A referral is typically not required for the Anthem PPO. Pre-authorization rules can vary by service, so ask when you call.
What if I’m between projects or don’t have coverage right now?
Be Well Medical Group offers a $150/month membership for ongoing, affordable care between projects or coverage periods. See our pricing page for details.
Does Be Well Medical Group accept Motion Picture insurance?
Yes. We accept Optum Behavioral Health (Motion Picture PPO) and most major insurers, and our team verifies your benefits before your first visit.
What mental health conditions do you treat?
The most common are anxiety, depression, insomnia, burnout, OCD, ADHD, and alcohol use concerns. Each visit combines medical treatment with therapy-informed techniques.
Is my care confidential?
Yes. Your care is protected by the same privacy laws that apply to all medical records. Discretion is especially important to many of my patients in entertainment, and I treat it that way.
Content is educational only and not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Insurance benefits vary by plan and year; verify details with your plan.
