Digital solutions expand access to behavioral health services for employees
On-demand education, self-care apps and virtual coaching offer additional ways to support employee well-being.
Nearly 90% of surveyed employees indicated they experienced at least one mental health challenge in 2024, yet less than half received the support they needed.1 Their main reasons for not receiving care were scheduling issues and provider availability.1
Since poor mental health can affect motivation and productivity at work,1 not to mention other aspects of one’s overall health and well-being, it’s critical that employers do all they can to ensure employees can access behavioral health care.
“Historically, a member’s first step into behavioral health has been through a therapist or psychiatrist. What we found is that not all members need that level of care,” says Stacie Grassmuck, director of behavioral health product and innovation for UnitedHealthcare Employer & Individual.
Employers aiming to drive more appropriate and effective behavioral health utilization should consider the digital experience, resources and solutions that their behavioral health benefits provide. This may help employees and their covered family members get the support they need sooner, before they are in crisis — with the goal of better health outcomes, improved work productivity, reduced absenteeism and lower costs for all.
Around 90% of surveyed employees indicated they experienced at least one mental health challenge in 2024, yet less than half received the support they needed.1
Personalized digital experiences designed to help guide members to care
While talk therapy is often the first option people consider when seeking mental health support, it isn’t always the most clinically appropriate or cost-effective option. It’s estimated that approximately 50% of members seeking mental health support could benefit from lower severity solutions, such as virtual behavioral coaching, as an alternative to therapy.2 Ensuring employees have access to other potential solutions is a solid first step, but helping them navigate to the right support for their specific needs and severity is where the greatest impact may be made.
For example, through the UnitedHealthcare® app and myuhc.com®, members can search for behavioral health providers based on specific needs and conditions, such as stress and anxiety, marital and family issues or substance use support. This enhanced provider search experience generates personalized care recommendations based on specific quality and cost criteria, as well as the member’s personal preferences. As a result, members may find that other providers can offer similar support, rather than seeking out a psychiatrist, which may involve provider availability and cost challenges.
Additionally, if employees are unsure where to start, they can use an option within both the app and website to answer a few confidential questions that can help them choose their level of care.
Some Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) also offer services that provide a confidential assessment of a member’s situation and refer them to licensed behavioral health professionals and services, if needed. This can be a good starting point for employees who are uncertain about the type of support they need.
“Access is one thing, but navigation is really where the conversation needs to transition to,” says Trevor Porath, vice president of behavioral health solutions for UnitedHealthcare Employer & Individual. “Without navigation support, employees often don’t know where to go to get the support they need, and that’s when employers can start to see higher costs, as members tend to seek higher levels of care than necessary.”
Leveraging digital resources and self-help solutions for expanded access and improved speed to care
In some cases, receiving care from a provider may not be necessary. For instance, employees with lower severity behavioral health issues may be good candidates for resources like self-guided education, self-help tools and coaching.
“We need to expand our perspective of what care looks like and get people comfortable with trying solutions and support beyond traditional talk therapy,” Porath adds. “Normalizing the utilization of solutions that are designed for lower severity issues can help members get support more quickly without the challenges surrounding provider availability.”
Eligible UnitedHealthcare members may have access to Calm Health, an evidence-based well-being app that supports mindfulness and resiliency. They may also have access to other solutions like virtual behavioral coaching, which incorporates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) — a technique that a growing body of research is finding produces favorable outcomes in helping manage symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress.3
“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,” says Grassmuck.
As the number of digital tools and solutions for mental health support continues to grow — $1.4B was invested in the digital behavioral health space in 2024 alone4 — it’s critical that employers carefully consider the digital resources, solutions and apps they can offer to make behavioral health care more accessible for their employees.
Share
