Employers can do more to track the efficacy of mental health benefits, study says
Most employers offer coverage for mental health services, but where they fall short is in tracking whether those benefits are working, according to a new survey.
The report, conducted by the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI), found that 97% of employers offer mental health coverage and 67% offer coverage for substance abuse treatment. However, only 22% said they actively monitor whether employees are using the benefits.
Network Adequacy
In addition, there is a significant opportunity for employers to do more in tracking network adequacy, the study found. Forty-seven percent of those surveyed said they receive details from vendors or collect data on provider-to-enrollee ratios, while 44% said they track employees’ distance to providers and 48% said they monitor wait times.
Fewer than one-third (31%) said they collect data on out-of-network care use, which is a major barrier to behavioral health access, per the report.
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