Dive Brief:
- Teladoc Health is launching an employee assistance program as the virtual care giant looks to boost its mental healthcare offerings.
- The program, called Wellbound, includes online therapy through its direct-to-consumer mental healthcare unit BetterHelp, as well as additional psychiatry and medication management services provided through Teladoc, the telehealth vendor said Tuesday.
- The EAP will also be able to connect users to Teladoc’s other services, like primary care and chronic condition management programs.
Dive Insight:
EAPs, which provide short-term counseling and services for workers managing mental health or personal problems, are a common benefit offered by mid-sized and large employers.
However, EAPs often go underutilized, even though employees say they want a range of mental healthcare benefits. More than 80% of workers who know they have an EAP available to them have never used it, according to a survey published last year by Gallup.
Stigma surrounding mental health conditions may prevent some from accessing care, while others may be stymied by a busy schedule or other commitments, experts say.
Additionally, many workers aren’t aware of their options. One poll published early this year found only about half of employees knew how to access mental health benefits, and more than one-quarter didn’t know if their employer offered mental health benefits, an EAP, flexible work arrangements or sick days for mental health concerns.
Wellbound, Teladoc’s first EAP, wants to help address challenges with the programs that employers and health plans have reported to the telehealth vendor, Matthew Sopcich, SVP of mental health solutions at Teladoc, said in a statement to Healthcare Dive.
Employees sometimes face a fragmented benefits experience, and they aren’t sure where to go when they run of out allotted therapy sessions or when they have different needs, Teladoc said.
To that end, the company’s offering include navigation support, as well as access to other resources like legal consultation, financial planning services and referrals for elder or child care.
Wellbound is available to health plan sponsors today, and the EAP will be accessible to users in January, according to a press release.
Teladoc has embarked on a business strategy to increase its offerings and advance its position in virtual mental healthcare under the leadership of CEO Chuck Divita, who took the helm at the company last summer.
The telehealth vendor has inked two acquisitions this year: virtual mental health company UpLift and preventive care firm Catapult Health. Last month, executives said M&A would play a key role in Teladoc's strategy as it expands its services.
Additionally, Teladoc launched a cardiometabolic health program in April and added partnerships with other digital health companies like Carrot Fertility and digestive health firm Oshi Health.
