Digital tools help increase access to behavioral health at a time of growing need

Health plans are providing an array of new solutions to employers that help address the broad spectrum and rising volume of behavioral health challenges. These efforts include expanding solutions to care for employees and their families, including through virtual appointments, apps and digital tools. 

For example, 61% of people diagnosed with a mood disorder, such as bipolar disorder, have used behavioral virtual care for treatment.¹ Of those, 83% were satisfied using virtual care and 79% said it has made it easier for them to access care.¹

Clearing the way for members to get help is critical to meeting the mental health crisis, especially because there are so many barriers to behavioral health care, including a growing provider shortage. Others include busy schedules, cost and stigma associated with mental health conditions. Virtual care may be able to break down those barriers by providing fast, convenient and on-demand access to care—without leaving the home or workplace. Virtual care aims to streamline access to quality care for people in need, improve flexibility for both members and providers and yield outcomes comparable to in-person visits.²

“Improving access to behavioral health care is critical at all levels of severity,” says Dr. Martin H. Rosenzweig, chief medical officer of Optum Behavioral Health. “Members with faster access to behavioral health care have higher levels of engagement and better outcomes. We also want to engage with members before they enter the system in crisis.” 

“One of the keys is to make sure members get the right care at the right time,” says Stacie Grassmuck, director of behavioral health product and innovation for UnitedHealthcare Employer & Individual. “Self-help tools and apps can help them do that. If self-help isn’t working, then we go to the next step.”

Another solution available to qualifying employer groups is virtual behavioral health coaching, which provides evidence-based support for those managing stress, anxiety or depression. Employees work at their own pace and have access to:

• Structured cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques delivered via progressive modules
• 24/7 access to program content
• Access to dedicated 1-on-1 coaching support to focus on individual goals through phone, secure message or email
• Coaches trained in evidence-based motivational interviewing to create a personalized experience and drive adherence to programs
• Ongoing access to resiliency tools

The program has delivered high patient engagement and positive outcomes, including a 50% decrease in depression score, a 42% decrease in anxiety score, a 32% decrease in social anxiety score³ and a retention rate that is 15 times higher than other mental health apps.⁴

“The coaching program is built on CBT which previously was only available via live therapy sessions with a therapist. It offers employees an option in between a self-care app and outpatient therapy,” Grassmuck says. “It was important to base the program on CBT principles, which are known to produce positive outcomes for patients.”

When employees aren’t sure what support they need, Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) and advocates can help guide employees to appropriate, timely care across a continuum, whether it’s self-care apps, virtual coaching or virtual care. In fact, 77% of employers plan to provide behavioral health support to their employees, such as virtual care and digital tools.⁵

Most EAPs offer a wide range of services, sometimes referring employees to other professionals who can offer more or extended care in particular areas. For example, the UnitedHealthcare EAP allows plan members to call specialists 24/7 at no additional cost for a confidential assessment of their situation and a referral to licensed professionals and services if needed.

EAP specialists help members manage a variety of behavioral health conditions, improve relationships at home or work, handle stress, work through emotional conditions and get legal or financial assistance.

When an employee calls an advocate, they can provide whole-person, proactive guidance across a broad number of health needs, including emotional health, clinical and complex care support, and financial and benefits.

“Navigating the system is complicated and talking with someone who understands the complexities makes a big difference,” Rosenzweig says. “Virtual behavioral health care represents an opportunity to bring the care delivery model into our patients’ homes, and we’re equipped to help guide employees to our solutions with this option.”

Leveraging technology to help remove access to barriers and improve relationships and rapport with members has the potential to help benefit everyone, including employers when they have healthier, productive employees.