In this post, we will look at recent trends in behavioral health, why your health plan should prioritize addressing them, and what technology you can leverage to support these initiatives.
Behavioral health has come to the forefront of many health care discussions particularly now because of the shortage of providers.
The stigma around mental health has lifted as more people are open about their struggles and seeking help.. This heightened awareness leads to more diagnoses and treatment. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than half of Americans will be diagnosed with a mental illness or disorder at some point in their lives.
Second, the pandemic put behavioral health into perspective, as many people began to struggle due to social isolation and loneliness. Those living with mental health issues and those who had never experienced them before began seeking help. It was especially challenging for older adults, with 56% stating feelings of isolation during the pandemic — more than double the number from 2018.
This uptick has caused significant consequences related to poor overall health outcomes and higher costs. Experts reported that the relationship between mental well-being and isolation is bidirectional. With no easy fixes to isolation and loneliness, behavioral health issues were found to contribute to early mortality. Financially the impacts of social isolation cause $6.7 billion in additional health care costs annually.
Current societal problems impact people’s emotional well-being. Stressors around finances, political upheaval, looming climate change, 24-hour news cycles and more are compounding, leaving many with feelings of depression and anxiety. In October 2021, 31.6% of adults reported such symptoms. Youth and adults are spending more time on their devices and interacting virtually more often than face-to-face which is can create feelings of isolation rather than connection and for youth more devastating consequences such as cyberbullying and suicidal thoughts.
These trends and their influence over the current and future state of health care require health plans to consider new ways to address them.
Addressing behavioral health should be a priority for health plans. Here’s why:
Untreated mental health issues impact those suffering, but also the entire health system. If members disconnect from their mental and physical health, they are to disproportionately higher utilizers of the emergency department (ED) and inpatient admissions.
As a result of behavioral health problems, they often feel alone in their challenges and do not know how to care for themselves. That makes these members less likely to follow treatment plans or take medications, triggering the need for inpatient stays, which are often more expensive. The National Alliance on Mental Illness estimates the cost of untreated mental illness is up to $300 billion annually, including medical and disability expenses, loss of productivity, turnover and absenteeism.
When people have access to treatment in outpatient settings, they are less likely to visit the emergency department or be hospitalized. A report from Cigna calculated savings of up to $1,377 per person in one year and up to $3,109 per person over two years.
By providing access to mental health services, your members have a better chance of improved physical outcomes and vice versa.. People can overcome physical health challenges when there is harmony between mind and body.
Improved mental health impacts overall physical health. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), positive mental health is associated with healthier hearts and bodies.
Member engagement is a goal and challenge for health plans. Lack of engagement usually means higher costs and worse outcomes. Those with mental health issues who aren’t receiving treatment are often more withdrawn and don’t use available resources.
Those who receive help follow healthy behaviors, such as scheduling regular visits with primary care doctors or specialists and undergoing preventative screenings. These members benefit from early detection and better management of chronic conditions, which is a positive for both your members and the plan.
Technology will play a significant role as health plans consider new options to address behavioral health.
Your plan's deployment of technology could be a vital tool in addressing behavioral health. Here are a few ways tech can help:
Learn more about the solutions for treating loneliness and improving behavioral health from Pyx Health.