UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH), one of the largest health insurance and health services conglomerates in the United States, is taking a major step to expand access to mental health support. Beginning January 1, 2023, select commercial health insurance members gained free access to virtual behavioral health coaching. The program currently impacts roughly 5 million members enrolled in fully insured plans, with self-insured employers able to purchase access for their employees.
The initiative is part of UnitedHealth Group’s broader mission to integrate behavioral health into traditional medical care. Administered through UnitedHealthcare, the company’s commercial health insurance division, the program emphasizes addressing both access and affordability challenges. Dr. Rhonda Randall, chief medical officer of UnitedHealthcare, explained:
“UnitedHealthcare recognizes the intrinsic link between behavioral health and physical health, and is dedicated to integrating behavioral health into medical care. With 1-in-5 Americans experiencing a mental illness within a given year, it’s important for us to offer a range of low acuity to high acuity support programs for those who may need it, with the goal of helping to address access and affordability challenges.”
How the Virtual Behavioral Health Coaching Program Works
The virtual behavioral health coaching program is offered by Optum, UnitedHealth Group’s services division, in partnership with the digital behavioral health provider AbleTo. The program supports members experiencing mild depression, stress, or anxiety through an eight-week structured curriculum. Participants interact with coaches via weekly one-on-one video sessions or audio-only visits, supplemented by messaging and resources within the AbleTo app.
While the coaches themselves are not licensed mental health providers, they operate under supervision from licensed clinicians. This ensures that the virtual behavioral health coaching program provides guided support while remaining scalable. The app also provides tools, exercises, and educational content designed to help participants manage stress, anxiety, and mild depressive symptoms.
UnitedHealth Group’s Behavioral Health Expansion
UnitedHealth Group has strengthened its behavioral health offerings through acquisitions and leadership initiatives. Optum owns several key behavioral health assets, including Refresh Mental Health, the second-largest outpatient mental health provider in the U.S., and AbleTo.
The acquisition of Refresh Mental Health in March 2022, reportedly valued at over $1 billion, reinforced UnitedHealth Group’s commitment to expanding outpatient behavioral health services. AbleTo joined the company in spring 2020, with CEO Trip Hoffer promoted in June 2023 to lead OptumHealth’s behavioral health solutions. Together, these moves highlight the company’s focus on virtual behavioral health coaching and digital mental health solutions.
UnitedHealthcare’s behavioral health network is vast, including roughly 500,000 providers, of which 125,000 offer virtual care. This scale allows the company to deliver virtual behavioral health coaching alongside traditional therapy and in-person services, making mental health support more accessible for members nationwide.
Industry Trends and Competitor Activity
The focus on virtual behavioral health coaching reflects a broader trend among insurers and health services companies. Cigna’s health services division, Evernorth, has doubled its behavioral health network over the past five years and partnered with digital providers, including substance use disorder company Bicycle Health. CVS Health has also made behavioral health a strategic priority, investing in digital provider Array Behavioral Health to expand telehealth services.
These initiatives highlight an industry-wide recognition that behavioral health is integral to overall wellness and long-term cost management. Programs like virtual behavioral health coaching help members receive early support before conditions escalate to more serious mental health issues.
Strategic Partnerships and Value-Based Care
UnitedHealth Group is also integrating virtual behavioral health coaching into broader care delivery initiatives. In September, the company announced a collaboration with Walmart Inc. to launch a value-based care program across 15 Walmart Health locations. This initiative combines multiple services, including behavioral health, to provide convenient, coordinated care in community-based settings.
By blending insurance coverage, clinical care, and digital support tools, UnitedHealth Group is positioning virtual behavioral health coaching as a key component of its value-based care strategy. This integration ensures that members receive holistic support, from managing mild symptoms through coaching to accessing licensed clinical care when needed.
Conclusion
UnitedHealth Group’s launch of virtual behavioral health coaching represents a significant step toward expanding mental health access for millions of members. Through its partnership with Optum and AbleTo, the company provides scalable, evidence-based coaching for mild depression, anxiety, and stress, all while maintaining clinical oversight.
As the behavioral health landscape continues to evolve, initiatives like this highlight the growing importance of digital, accessible, and integrated mental health services. With behavioral health coaching, UnitedHealth Group is helping reshape the way behavioral health care is delivered—making it more convenient, supportive, and effective for members across the United States.
