Integrating primary care and mental health

Mental health issues are a growing concern in the workplace. According to 2024 Workforce Mental Health Trends and Forecast Report, 84% of benefit leaders say creating a mentally healthy work culture has risen in priority for their company over the past year.¹ Furthermore, many employees report feeling stressed at work, with a significant percentage reporting that their stress levels continue to increase year over year.

As a result, solutions like primary care and mental health integration can positively impact employee culture, productivity, and health care costs for employers.

The hidden costs of mental health in the workplace

With depression and anxiety disorders estimated to cost the global economy over $1 trillion in lost productivity each year;² and untreated mental health issues resulting in over $200 billion spent annually in the United States alone,³ this enormous gap is proving impactful to bottom lines. Businesses are seeing it every day with:

• Costly medical claims
• Expensive indirect costs related to turnover 
• High absenteeism
• Reduction of productivity
• Underused skills or under skilled for work
• Unsafe or poor physical working conditions
• Poor organizational culture 
• Underpromotion or overpromotion

By focusing on comprehensive employee-centered health and well-being benefit packages, employers can experience improved employee health outcomes, reduced health care costs, and enhanced productivity.

Mental health and primary care integration in practice

The integration of mental health with primary care services is a cornerstone of whole-person care, where mental well-being is considered essential to overall health. As primary care providers are often the first point of contact for care, a seamless intersection between mental health and primary care can have a profound impact on care early intervention.  
Working with health insurers that offer effective solutions leveraging integration can look like: 

• Primary care screening and assessments: Primary care providers use standardized screening tools to identify patients with mental health concerns and refer them to mental health professionals for further assessment and treatment.
• Telehealth services: Mental health services offered via telehealth platforms can enable patients to access care remotely and reduce barriers to access.
• Care coordination: A team-based approach to care can facilitate referrals, appointments, and follow-up care, minimize gaps, and ensure that patients receive timely and necessary interventions.
• Health navigators: Working with mental health navigators, social workers, and patient advocates to navigate the health care ecosystem can help employees connect with mental health services and resources.
• Predictive analytics: Collaborate with an insurer that leverages predictive analytics to identify high-risk patients, anticipate costly claims, and enable proactive testing and personalized value-based care strategies that drive better health outcomes.

Exploring benefits of integrating primary care and mental health

By bridging this gap, employers can have a significant impact on employee health and well-being. Some of the benefits of this approach include:

• Improved health outcomes: By addressing mental health issues in the primary care setting, employees are more likely to receive timely and effective treatment, leading to improved health outcomes.
• Increased productivity: By reducing the stigma associated with mental health issues and providing employees with access to mental health services, businesses can improve employee productivity and reduce absenteeism.
• Reduced health care costs: Integrating services can help reduce costs by streamlining the need for referrals, costly hospitalizations, early intervention of chronic conditions.
• Enhanced employee engagement: By demonstrating a commitment to employee mental health and well-being, businesses can enhance employee engagement and retention.

Businesses benefit from integration

There are several models for integrating primary care and mental health services in benefit plans. By working with a health insurer, businesses can offer a range of options to significantly influence accessibility, encourage utilization, and ultimately promote a healthier and more productive workforce. Business leaders who prioritize primary care and mental health integration can expect to see significant benefits for both their employees and their bottom line.

References:

¹Lyra. (2024). 2024 Workforce Mental Health Trends Report. Retrieved from https://cdn.intelligencebank.com/us/share/d23K/AE0L1/4oMEa/original/2024-Workforce-Mental-Health-Trends-Report?mkt_tok=MzU5LUdRUi01MDIAAAGWWFv5zIZV-LiIsqfKM4ijUp3MKQ5aGgnFb4Ua2bmLPl79b2zObheYZFTvcBv04sx8mQDBKTuY6OQ40iY_9Zrze8mhLG7H_TPFKMxm8KchTclvRw 

²The Lancet Global Health. Mental health matters. Lancet Glob Health. 2020 Nov;8(11):e1352. doi: 10.1016/S2214-109X(20)30432-0. PMID: 33069297; PMCID: PMC7561290.

³Bayer, C. (2024). The Costs of Untreated Mental Health in the Workplace. LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/costs-untreated-mental-health-workplace-bayer-clf-rebc--eg5fc