While nearly all (97 per cent) large U.S. employers say they offer mental-health coverage, fewer than half (47 per cent) of employers are measuring whether these benefits are delivering timely, effective care, according to a new survey by the Employee Benefit Research Institute.
The survey, which polled more than 400 employers, found just 22 per cent of employers monitor whether employees are actively using their behavioural-health benefits, despite research showing that active utilization of benefits is correlated far more closely than just access to higher productivity and better business outcomes.
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It found coverage for some clinical services is modestly high, such as telehealth (73 per cent) and counselling and therapy (62 per cent). However, other services were covered by fewer than half of employers, such as ongoing treatment for chronic conditions (33 per cent) and culturally-competent care (26 per cent).
While 96 per cent of employers said their plans offer virtual access for mental-health care, only 58 per cent offer telehealth for substance use services.
“Our survey revealed meaningful positives — like the widespread availability of mental-health coverage and ongoing use of telehealth,” said Paul Fronstin, director of health benefits research at the EBRI, in a press release. “The data also suggest large employers can play a much greater role in encouraging accountability systems that achieve timely, cost-effective and high-quality care.”
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