Editor’s note: Responses have been lightly edited for clarity and length.
Question: What healthcare trend are you most excited about?
Georgia Gaveras, DO. Co-founder and Chief Medical Officer at Talkiatry. There are two behavioral health trends that really excite me, and they both center around investment. Innovative providers are investing their time, problem-solving skills and resources into solving mental health challenges, which have historically been stigmatized and ignored. One of the most important industrywide endeavors is increasing access to quality care for vulnerable populations, including those who live in healthcare deserts, rural residents, BIPOC people and the LGBTQ+ community. Additionally, providers are finding new ways to decrease the total cost of care through groundbreaking, value-based care models that benefit patients, providers and payors alike. These initiatives are key to meeting the increased demand that has resulted from greater awareness and acceptance of mental health in this country.
The second is financial investment. Talkiatry recently secured a $130 million Series C round, but we are not the only behavioral health provider that has earned new funding recently. Providers, investors, and payers are on the same page when it comes to connecting more people to quality care, especially during the current shortage of mental health care professionals and financial investment helps us scale those efforts. We still have lots of work to do, but we’ve taken the first steps toward solving the most pressing mental health challenges of today.
Doug Nemecek, MD. Chief Medical Officer for Behavioral Health, Evernorth Health Services (St. Louis). More than half — 54% — of adults with mental illness do not receive treatment, and those who seek treatment often face long wait times and poor provider matches, which delays critical care.
However, the integration of behavioral, medical and pharmacy benefits creates a turnkey opportunity to identify patients in need of behavioral healthcare who aren’t already receiving it and more quickly connect them to quality care. We know from Evernorth’s research that engaging in outpatient behavioral healthcare early in a patient’s journey results in improved health outcomes and lowers total cost of care. In fact, even the lowest level of behavioral health treatment can make a big impact on total healthcare spend.
I’m thrilled that the broader healthcare industry is recognizing the value that behavioral healthcare has on a person’s overall health and vitality and I’m encouraged by the opportunities that are emerging through integrated benefits and robust data to connect patients to the right care at the right time.
