by Lauren Taylor from In The Cloud Copy
COVID-19 has now been wreaking havoc on our country and world for months, with little end in sight. It came very quickly and few, if any, were prepared for the effects it would have on our society. Not only have peoples’ physical health been greatly affected by the illness, but peoples’ mental health is greatly suffering as well. Millions of people are suddenly unemployed and unable to leave their homes or visit with loved ones, causing a perfect storm for a mental health crisis. While much focus has been on physical health during and after COVID-19, focus must be shifted to address the growing behavioral health crisis that we will be dealing with.
Funding for Behavioral Health
The talk of more funding for behavioral health is always a topic in healthcare, but during and post COVID-19, the need for behavioral health resources will be greatly increased. Further, telemedicine and/or automated interventions are needed more than ever. People are fearful of leaving their homes so they either delay care or just avoid it altogether, both with the potential of disastrous effects. Thankfully, by mid 2020, investors had devoted more money than any previous year into mental health efforts. This money is going into things like digital and telemedicine platforms for better access. A big gap that needs addressed now is the fact that many people have lost their employer sponsored healthcare plans due to unemployment. Many of those facing a behavioral health crisis are those that fall in the category of unemployed, but with no health care plan, where do they turn?
There are options for direct-to-consumer options where the patients essentially “self-serve” through a platform such as TalkSpace, but we cannot assume that patients will seek out and use these resources.
Pre-COVID Provider and Payer Involvement
Payers are aware, and have been for some time, of the benefits and savings that come with preventative care. The same goes for preventative care in the behavioral health field. Despite the awareness of the issue, payers are still hesitant to provide adequate coverage, especially in the digital area.
Those with a medical condition such as diabetes and a non-severe mental health issue tend to cost approximately 50% more for the health plan than the comparable member with no mental health condition.
Behavioral health providers in many health systems have moved forward with the adoption of digital behavioral health solutions. In doing so, they have provided optimal care for patients needing behavioral health care and intervention, meeting the patient where they are.
Patients Want Digital Options for Care
With the pandemic raging on and little or no end in sight, patients are hesitant to go to in-person appointments and would prefer a digital or telemedicine appointment to address their healthcare needs. Providing behavioral health services via telemedicine is a necessity to health manage the cost associated with the post-COVID-19 morbidity the country and world will likely face. If we wait until after the pandemic ends, we will likely be at a point from which we cannot return. If we address the need now, and assume the need for behavioral health services is only going to increase post-COVID-19, then digital options can be developed and deployed appropriately, ensuring that everyone struggling with behavioral health issues will have access, whether it be digitally or in-person.
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