HR Policy, National Alliance Survey: Employers Unsatisfied with Access to Behavioral Health Services

A recent survey of 221 employers conducted by HR Policy and the National Alliance for Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions found that while 99% of employers agreed that effective and timely access to in-network behavioral health providers is important, only 31% of employers are satisfied with network access for behavioral health services. 

Employers were asked to rank the level of importance in specific areas and their satisfaction with their service provider’s performance. Highlights of the findings include:

• Network access
  • Only 34% of employers agreed that their behavioral health directories were an accurate reflection of the providers available to plan participants.
    
    
  • Tele-behavioral health was a top priority for employers with 95% saying access to these services is important yet only 65% were satisfied with them.
    
    
• Quality of care
  • While 54% were satisfied with the promotion of standardized measurement for behavioral health services, only 33% were satisfied with engagement and reporting of behavioral health outcomes.
    
    
• Integration of behavioral health into primary care
  • 84% agreed that it was important that plans support, promote and incentivize integration of behavioral health into primary care, but only 28% were satisfied.
    
    
  • 64% agreed that early identification through broad use of behavioral health screenings can mitigate the severity of mental health issues.
    
    
• Workplace mental health support
  • Achieving high engagement in workplace behavioral health programs was important to 92%, but only 39% were satisfied.
    
    
• Health equity and whole person health
  • Only 27% of employers were satisfied that their service providers evaluate and tailor behavioral health services to diverse communities (e.g., LGBTQ+, People of Color).

Mark Wilson, Vice President, Health and Employment Policy stated that these results show collaboration among all stakeholders is needed to move the needle. “Supporting mental health and wellbeing of employees and their families is a top priority for major employers. We need to work collaboratively with all stakeholders, especially our health plan and vendor partners, if we are going to be able to provide timely access to affordable, high-quality behavioral health providers.”

Outlook: The lack of behavioral health providers continues to be a roadblock to increasing access to mental health and substance use disorder services. Employers should work with their carriers to address the challenges outlined in the survey results. HR Policy will engage with Congress on steps to increase the supply of providers as well as remove barriers to care.