Executive Summary
Mental health concerns are undeniably impacting health, productivity, and quality of life, affecting a significant portion of the member population.
The consequences are far-reaching, affecting not only individuals but also their families and employers. Increased healthcare costs and decreased workplace productivity underscore the economic toll of mental health challenges. Traditional, reactive benefit designs prioritize intervention only after conditions reach a clinical threshold for intervention, an approach that leads to higher treatment costs, delayed recovery timelines, and a greater decline in health and productivity.
We present a proven three-step framework for integrating proactive mental health screening into a health plan鈥檚 benefit designs. The framework emphasizes early identification of mental health concerns, empowers individuals with self-care tools, and facilitates seamless access to appropriate levels of care. By actively promoting mental wellness, plans can improve member well-being, optimize resource allocation, and generate positive outcomes for plan members and plan sponsors alike.