The Mental Health Access Crisis
Mental health care has historically been difficult to access — long wait times for appointments, limited in-network providers, and the stigma of seeking care in person. Telemental health has dramatically changed this landscape. Virtual therapy and psychiatry visits are available within days, from the privacy of the employee's home, at any time of day.
MHPAEA and Telemental Health
MHPAEA requires that telemental health benefits be no more restrictive than in-person mental health benefits — and no more restrictive than telemedicine benefits for medical/surgical conditions. A plan that offers $0 telemedicine for medical conditions but charges a copay for telemental health may be violating MHPAEA.
Telemental Health ROI
IQ Insight
Telemental health is one of the highest-ROI benefits investments available to employers. Employees with untreated mental health conditions have medical costs 2–3x higher than those without. Telemental health that removes access barriers and improves treatment rates reduces both direct mental health costs and indirect medical costs. The ROI is typically 3:1 to 5:1 within 2–3 years.