UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) is significantly expanding its footprint in behavioral health, underscoring its belief that addressing mental health and substance use challenges is central to improving whole-person care. Over the last couple of years, the company has grown its behavioral health network by 25% and signaled that the space will remain a long-term strategic priority. This UnitedHealth Group Behavioral Health Expansion effort reflects both strong patient demand and the organization’s commitment to integrated care.
During the company’s Q3 earnings call, UnitedHealth Group Chief Operating Officer Dirk McMahon highlighted how behavioral health remains one of the most pressing challenges in health care today. “As many of you know, behavioral health is a [24/7] challenge,” McMahon said. “So we are continuing to expand our portfolio of digital offerings supporting a range of needs, allowing patients to get rich resources when they need them. We’ve also made significant improvements to help consumers access vital information more easily through improved navigation tools. Guiding consumers to the appropriate condition-specific level of behavioral health is a challenge we are prioritizing.” This focus is a core part of the UnitedHealth Group Behavioral Health Expansion strategy.
Telehealth Driving Access in Behavioral Health
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of virtual behavioral health, and Optum has leaned into that shift. In February, the company reported a staggering 130% increase in telehealth behavioral health visits compared to pre-pandemic levels. This surge in demand has persisted even as in-person care options have reopened, demonstrating that patients value the flexibility, privacy, and accessibility of virtual treatment. As a result, telehealth has become a central driver in the UnitedHealth Group Behavioral Health Expansion.
By continuing to build out its digital platform, Optum is making behavioral health services available to patients regardless of geography or mobility challenges. Virtual access, when paired with in-person options, has created a hybrid care model that many experts believe is the future of behavioral health delivery.
Strategic Acquisitions Strengthening the Network
UnitedHealth Group has also pursued acquisitions to grow its behavioral health capabilities. Earlier this year, Optum acquired outpatient behavioral health provider Refresh Mental Health, in a transaction reportedly worth more than $1 billion, although the official sum was not disclosed. Refresh operates a wide network of facilities offering outpatient care that can be integrated into UnitedHealth’s broader system, further advancing the UnitedHealth Group Behavioral Health Expansion.
“Refresh Mental Health … fits right into that value-based proposition in terms of how we believe we need to bring behavioral health management alongside medical management,” UnitedHealth Group CEO Sir Andrew Witty explained during a Q1 earnings call. The move reflects a larger industry trend: payers increasingly see behavioral health not as a standalone service but as a critical piece of whole-person care.
Beyond acquisitions, UnitedHealth has also inked several partnerships with digital behavioral health startups. In September, Optum announced a deal with Hopscotch, a youth mental health platform. By bringing Hopscotch in-network, Optum is directly addressing one of the most pressing areas of concern in behavioral health today—youth and adolescent mental health. This partnership highlights the diversified approach of the UnitedHealth Group Behavioral Health Expansion.
Building Toward Integrated, Whole-Person Care
UnitedHealth Group’s strategy goes beyond expanding access—it’s focused on integration. The company is working to connect behavioral health services with medical and palliative care to create a more seamless patient experience. McMahon emphasized the importance of providing care in at-home settings, particularly for individuals with complex conditions and mobility limitations.
“We know that at-home care settings, especially for people with mobility challenges and highly complex health needs, can improve outcomes, elevate patient experience and result in better care,” McMahon said. “So we bring together teams with medical, behavioral and palliative experience in addition to our home-infusion capabilities of OptumRx.” This integrated approach ensures that the UnitedHealth Group Behavioral Health Expansion is not only about growing numbers but also about improving outcomes and quality of care.
Behavioral Health Growth Across the Industry
UnitedHealth is not alone in this push. Cigna Corporation’s (NYSE: CI) health services segment, Evernorth, reported during its Q2 earnings call that its behavioral health network has more than doubled in size over the last five years. Like UnitedHealth, Cigna has invested in expanding both its in-person and virtual behavioral health offerings. Still, the UnitedHealth Group Behavioral Health Expansion demonstrates one of the most aggressive and strategic growth plans among major payers.
The competition between major payers in behavioral health reflects a broader industry shift. Employers, providers, and policymakers are increasingly calling for expanded behavioral health access, particularly in the wake of the pandemic’s impact on mental health. The payer that can best balance access, quality, affordability, and integration will have a competitive advantage in meeting both consumer and market demands.
Financial Performance and Looking Ahead
UnitedHealth Group reported strong financial performance in Q3, with revenues reaching $80.9 billion—a 12% year-over-year increase. The company also reported $5.55 in net earnings per share and $5.79 in adjusted earnings per share. These results give UnitedHealth the financial strength to continue investing in behavioral health expansion.
“Behavioral health plays an integral role in the overall health and well-being of the people we serve,” McMahon said. “So you will all continue to see us increasing access, quality and affordability in this clinically important and sensitive area.” With a clear focus on acquisitions, digital tools, and integration into medical care, the UnitedHealth Group Behavioral Health Expansion is expected to remain a key growth driver for the company well into the future.
