Health insurers acknowledge the need for providing more mental health resources.
By Jenna Hughes
Stress, depression, anxiety, and other mental illnesses all negatively impact an individual’s overall health. Indeed, mental illness is one of the most common health conditions in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 50% of people will be diagnosed with a mental illness or disorder at some point during their lifetime. These conditions also lead to an increased risk of physical health issues such as diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.
Mental health conditions can make it difficult for an individual to maintain balance in everyday life. Several factors can contribute to a mental illness diagnosis including trauma, abuse, or chronic conditions. Mental health can change over time depending on factors such as increased stress, biological characteristics, and lifestyle.
Looking after one’s mental health encompasses managing active life stressors and taking action to maintain future well-being. Several healthcare insurance companies recently announced more steps they are taking to integrate behavioral health coverage into their services.
Need for behavioral health services
Stressors due to the COVID-19 pandemic have led more young adults, healthcare workers, and Americans in general to seek mental health resources. “The vast majority of Americans are struggling with their mental health. With the irreversibly accelerating need for mental health care comes a decrease in the stigma associated with getting care,” said Dr. Doug Nemecek, Chief Behavioral Health Officer of Evernorth Health Services, the pharmacy, care, and benefits solution division of The Cigna Group.
Mental health services are costly for the patient and for the nation. Untreated behavioral health conditions increase the utilization and cost of care for physical conditions, costing billions of dollars annually. Depression alone is also responsible for $44 billion lost in productivity, according to Dr. Nemecek and the National Alliance on Mental Illness. There are significant implications to the economy if individuals do not get the behavioral health services they need.
What insurers are doing
Many insurers have expanded mental health resources with the goal of providing affordable and adequate mental health treatment options.
“UnitedHealthcare recognizes the intrinsic link between behavioral health and physical health and is dedicated to integrating behavioral health into medical care,” said Dr. Rhonda Randall, Chief Medical Officer, UnitedHealthcare. “With 1 in 5 Americans experiencing a mental illness within a given year, it’s important for us to offer a range of support programs for those who may need it, with the goal of helping to address access and affordability challenges.”
In 2023, UnitedHealthcare has continued to expand mental health resources to include online self-help tools, in-person and virtual clinician visits, a virtual behavioral coaching program, and 1:1 video conferencing or messaging with trained coaches. Employers can now purchase these resources to include in employee’s healthcare coverage packages.
Evernorth Health Services (The Cigna Group) has also incorporated various initiatives to increase mental health resources for patients. Through Cigna insurance, patients have access to webinars and seminars discussing behavioral awareness for the individual and for families. They also offer information on mental health for patients through blogs, incentive programs, health coaching, and a behavioral health and employee assistance program that connects employees to healthcare providers.
To help meet the growing demand for care, Evernorth Health Services has doubled the size of its provider network over the past five years. They have more than 315,000 behavioral health providers, and continue to grow their network aggressively. “We’ve also very intentionally grown our network for providers specializing in treatment of adolescents by 34% and those who specialize in ethnic issues by 20%,” said Dr. Nemecek.
Often, patients are referred to mental health services by their primary care physician. A visit to the physician’s office typically includes a questionnaire about recent changes in mental health. If a patient indicates a change in their mental health and well-being during an appointment, a primary care physician can treat disorders such as depression, anxiety, and emotional distress related to grief. They are also able to refer patients to further services if needed. Insurance can help cover the cost of these services for patients. According to Dr. Don Tavakoli, National Medical Director for Behavioral Health, UnitedHealthcare, “Primary care physicians (PCPs) are often the first responders when it comes to supporting all aspects of a person’s health. PCPs are the quarterback of the personal healthcare team, so it is important for people to keep up to date with their annual visits and reach out to them whenever they have mental health care questions or concerns.”
Future of mental health coverage
Health insurers who spoke with Repertoire recognize there are dynamic needs for mental health access in an ever-changing society.
UnitedHealthcare’s behavioral health programs aim to “Bring together technology, clinical expertise, and strategic collaborations to help ensure more people have access to quality, supportive behavioral healthcare services,” according to Dr. Tavakoli.
“Looking ahead, we need to focus on the coordination of care across medical, pharmacy, and behavioral health benefits in support of a whole-person health approach. This approach includes measuring patients before, during, and after their mental health care journey as well as matching individuals with providers who deliver the right level of care for their needs,” according to Dr. Nemecek.