How Recuro Health’s Virtual Behavioral Health Service Supports Better Futures

According to recent research, average medical expenses are predicted to rise by 7% annually for group markets, marking the third year of cost increases that hit above 5%¹. There seems to be no end in sight to rising medical costs, placing a growing strain on patients and providers in many areas of healthcare.

Behavioral health is one of these areas, with nearly six in ten people in the U.S. with mental illness reportedly getting no treatment or medication². As one in five Americans suffer from a mental illness, a lack of access to mental health care is concerning². To make matters more pressing, the National Council for Behavioral Health reports that 77% of U.S. counties are facing a severe shortage of mental health providers³. The issue of adequate access is a general problem healthcare faces today, but with the overall shortage of mental health providers and widespread confusion at navigating the healthcare system, behavioral health is suffering.

That situation is only projected to get worse, making the need for easier access to behavioral health care even more urgent.

Closing the Gaps in Mental Health Services

Already at the forefront of providing virtual solutions to improve mental well-being, Recuro Health’s Virtual Behavioral Health service provides a solution. With services covering diagnosis, treatment, counseling, and holistic health guidance, Recuro offers easy access to comprehensive behavioral health care.

• Psychiatry: Patients receive individualized care plans tailored to support emotional well-being and recovery. Our psychotherapy and mental health medication management ensure ongoing monitoring and adjustments to achieve the best mental health outcomes.
• Therapy and Counseling: Through access to social workers and mental health psychologists, patients receive therapy and counseling services through evidence-based practices to promote resilience and improve their quality of life. Members can also select a dedicated counselor who meets their needs and preferences for ongoing sessions. With Recuro’s Virtual Behavioral Health Services, 70% of patients continued to engage with behavioral health after their first visit on an ongoing basis.
• Intake and Assessment: Through behavioral health-focused assessments such as depression screening, we help facilitate easily detection and offer personalized interventions for patients in need of mental health care. This is critical for identifying risk factors and providing timely support.
• Risk Stratification: Diverting patients with mental health needs from costlier care options helps reduce the reliance on expensive options, such as emergency rooms or urgent care centers. Our analytics help identify those most at risk of behavioral challenges to proactively engage and direct them to the proper treatment, allowing for optimal outcomes on all fronts.

The Value of Virtual Mental Health Care

Another issue that hinders access to care is location. A reported 28% of people in the U.S. live in areas with optimal access to mental health professionals, adding difficulty to a care that’s already hard enough to access⁴. Recommending that people move isn’t exactly an answer, either. That’s where the benefit of virtual care comes in.

On average, it can take patients around five to six weeks to get an appointment with a mental health professional⁵. Through our Virtual Behavior Health service, most visits are available within 48 hours*, accelerating care and preventing higher-cost interventions later. There is no need to travel or waste time in crowded waiting rooms. Patients receive the care they need, when they need it, all from the comfort of a familiar environment.

Working Toward a Healthier Emotional Well-Being

Enhanced access to behavioral health care not only helps ensure better patient outcomes, but it can allow for improved financial and wellness outcomes all around. Timely intervention is a crucial part of supporting mental health, and through our Virtual Behavioral Health service, Recuro is working to provide easier access to those who need it most.

*Subject to provider listed availability.

Sources:

1. https://www.mercer.com/en-us/solutions/health-and-benefits/research/national-survey-of-employer-sponsored-health-plans/
2. https://www.thezebra.com/resources/research/mental-health-statistics/
3. https://www.amnhealthcare.com/blog/physician/#page=28
4. https://www.aamc.org/about-us/mission-areas/health-care/exploring-barriers-mental-health-care-us#:~:text=Mental%20Health%20Professional%20Shortages,New%20Jersey%20(Figure%201)
5. https://www.benefitspro.com/2021/11/29/more-states-aim-to-curb-long-wait-times-for-mental-health-care/