Demand for behavioral health care has dramatically increased since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a Trilliant Health report.
Unlike other aspects of healthcare, behavioral health trends are not a function of a small group of high utilizers driving higher volumes. In 2021, 66 percent of patients diagnosed with a mental health condition saw a provider five or fewer times that year.
Six things to know:
1. In 2021, 22.8 percent of adults had a mental illness, while only 18.8 percent of adults received any form of treatment. By Q2 2022, behavioral health volumes were 18.1 percent above pre-pandemic levels.
2. The vast majority of patients who went to the ED — 84 percent, specifically — for alcohol or substance use disorder treatment did not receive follow-up inpatient or residential treatment center care within 60 days.
3. Prescriptions for Adderall and its generic equivalent to ADHD patients under 21 and over 45 remained consistent with pre-pandemic levels, but prescriptions jumped 58.2 percent in the 22-44 age range from Q1 2018 to Q2 2022.
4. Americans under 18 are experiencing high rates of certain behavioral health conditions, including a 107.4 percent increase in eating disorder diagnoses and a 44 percent increase in depression disorders.
5. Private equity investments in the behavioral health sector, including virtual care and digital health platforms, totaled $2.6B across 289 deals in 2022, declining 52.9 percent and 15.8 percent, respectively, from 2021.
6. On average, total charge amounts were 20 percent higher for patients that have diabetes, hypertension and depression ($27,511) than those with diabetes and hypertension alone ($22,929).