As the rates of anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions continue to soar, employers are under increasing pressure to provide robust employee mental health services to their employees. Recognizing this critical need, Cigna has taken decisive steps to address the mental health crisis affecting the workforce. Earlier this year, the health insurance giant announced that it had expanded its behavioral health provider network by 30%, signaling its commitment to improving access to care. This is just the beginning, as Cigna plans to continue these efforts in the coming years to meet the rising demand for behavioral health support.
Cigna’s expansion comes at a time when mental health challenges are becoming a central concern for both employers and employees. In fact, during Cigna’s third-quarter earnings call, David Cordani, President and CEO, emphasized that expanding access to employee mental health services is one of the top priorities for employers. Alongside affordability, employers are increasingly focused on ensuring that their teams have access to the mental health resources they need to thrive. Cigna’s efforts aim to make these services more accessible, effective, and coordinated, addressing the growing demand for mental health care in the workplace.
Rising Demand for Mental Health Services: The Employer’s Role
The rising prevalence of anxiety and depression among employees has become a pressing issue for businesses across various sectors. Mental health challenges are impacting employee well-being, engagement, and productivity, leading employers to rethink their approach to employee care. As employees face increasing stress both at work and in their personal lives, the need for employee mental health services has never been more critical.
For many companies, offering mental health benefits has become a key part of their overall employee wellness strategy. Providing access to employee mental health services is not just about improving employee well-being; it’s also a strategic business decision. A mentally healthy workforce leads to higher productivity, lower turnover, and reduced healthcare costs – all of which contribute to a more sustainable and successful business model.
Recognizing this, Cigna has set out to enhance its behavioral health offerings in a way that meets the needs of both employers and employees. The company’s health service division, Evernorth, is at the forefront of these efforts, working to provide comprehensive solutions that address a wide range of mental health conditions, from stress and anxiety to more serious disorders like depression and PTSD.
Expanding Access: Cigna’s Strategic Focus on Digital Behavioral Health
One of the most innovative aspects of Cigna’s strategy is its emphasis on digital health services. As technology continues to reshape the healthcare landscape, Cigna is leveraging digital tools to make employee mental health services more accessible and convenient for employees. In 2021, Cigna launched Confide, a behavioral health navigator service designed to provide 24/7 access to care teams. These teams can assess a patient’s symptoms and guide them toward appropriate care, helping individuals get the support they need in a timely manner.
The launch of Confide represents a significant shift in how employee mental health services are delivered. Traditionally, accessing mental health care required long wait times and complex referral processes, making it difficult for employees to seek help when they needed it most. Confide is designed to address this challenge by providing immediate, personalized support. By connecting individuals with care teams around the clock, Cigna is making it easier for employees to take a proactive approach to their mental health.
Building on the success of Confide, Cigna plans to further enhance its digital behavioral health services in the coming years. Cordani announced that the company would be launching additional digital tools in 2024, designed to improve how patients are matched with therapists and to streamline the scheduling process. These new features will provide greater convenience and flexibility for employees, helping them access care quickly and efficiently.
In addition to Confide, Cigna has expanded its digital health capabilities through its acquisition of MDLive, a virtual health company that offers urgent care, primary care, and behavioral health services. This acquisition allows Cigna to offer even more comprehensive digital services, providing employees with access to a wide range of healthcare resources from the comfort of their own homes. Cigna has also formed partnerships with several external behavioral health providers, including Bicycle Health, NOCD, and Pelago, to further expand its network of available services.
A Holistic Approach: The Vitality Index
Cigna’s approach to employee mental health services goes beyond just addressing individual mental health issues. Through its Evernorth division, Cigna has developed a holistic vitality index designed to measure a person’s overall well-being across multiple dimensions, including emotional, environmental, financial, intellectual, occupational, physical, social, and spiritual capacities. This comprehensive index helps Cigna understand a person’s full health picture, not just their mental health, providing a more complete view of employee well-being.
The vitality index is particularly valuable in the workplace context. By measuring vitality across different dimensions, Cigna can help employers understand how various factors, including mental health, impact overall employee engagement, productivity, and retention. Research conducted by Cigna has shown that adults without significant mental health challenges are 10 times more likely to have high vitality, meaning they are more likely to be engaged, productive, and satisfied with their work.
This finding underscores the critical importance of mental health in fostering a high-performing workforce. Employees who are mentally healthy are more likely to contribute positively to their organizations, while those struggling with mental health challenges may experience burnout, reduced productivity, and higher absenteeism. By addressing mental health through initiatives like the vitality index, Cigna aims to help employers create a healthier, more resilient workforce that drives business success.
The Business Impact of Behavioral Health Services
For employers, the decision to invest in employee mental health services is not just about providing a benefit – it’s also about improving the bottom line. According to Cigna, prioritizing mental health in the workplace leads to better business outcomes. As Cordani noted, employers who invest in mental health services can expect higher engagement, reduced turnover, and lower medical costs.
The evidence supporting the business case for employee mental health services is compelling. Studies have shown that employees who have access to mental health support are more likely to stay with their employer, leading to reduced turnover and recruitment costs. They are also more likely to be productive and engaged, which contributes to improved performance and outcomes. Additionally, addressing mental health challenges early can help prevent more serious issues down the line, reducing overall healthcare costs for both employees and employers.
Cigna’s third-quarter results demonstrate the effectiveness of its approach. The company reported $49 billion in total revenue, with a net income of $1.4 billion. These strong financial results reflect the growing demand for behavioral health services and the value that employers place on comprehensive, accessible mental health care for their employees.
Looking Forward: Cigna’s Commitment to Expanding Behavioral Health Services
As we move toward 2024 and beyond, Cigna’s commitment to expanding employee mental health services is only expected to grow. The company is poised to continue developing innovative digital tools, expanding its provider network, and emphasizing a holistic approach to employee well-being. For employers, investing in these services is not just about supporting their employees – it’s about creating a healthier, more productive workforce that can drive business success.
Cigna’s efforts to enhance behavioral health access are paving the way for a more sustainable model of employee care. As mental health continues to be a central focus in the workplace, we can expect to see more employers adopt similar strategies to support their teams. By expanding access to care, improving coordination, and leveraging digital tools, Cigna is setting the standard for how businesses can support employee mental health services in a meaningful, impactful way.
