Although 21% of U.S. adults have a mental illness, access to behavioral healthcare remains out of reach for most. From 2008 to 2019, the number of adults with any mental illness increased nearly 30%. The pandemic further exacerbated mental health problems for adults and sparked an expanding youth mental health crisis. As the demand for behavioral healthcare continues to grow, Magellan Healthcare recognizes the need to increase access.

Increasing Access to Evidence-based Care

Magellan has collaborated with NeuroFlow, an award-winning behavioral health technology company, to increase access to our evidence-based digital cognitive behavioral therapy (DCBT) programs and enhance engagement. With a history of over 20 years of research and development and an endorsement from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Magellan’s DCBT programs are integral components of our Digital Emotional Wellbeing program, including FearFighter® for anxiety, panic and phobia and MoodCalmer for depression. Both programs, as well as RESTORE® for insomnia and other difficulties sleeping, are available online in Spanish, further increasing access to evidence-based programs.

Understanding Digital Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a short-term intervention that behavioral health clinicians use to help individuals overcome negative thoughts and behaviors. CBT is effective for depression, anxiety disorders, alcohol and drug use problems, marital problems, eating disorders, and severe mental illness. CBT has been demonstrated to be as effective in certain conditions as other forms of therapy or psychiatric medications. Digital CBT (DCBT) is the implementation of CBT on a digital platform with the same core principles, language and exercises used in live practice that include:

• Learning to recognize thought distortions
• Evaluating distortions against reality
• Gaining a better understanding of others’ behavior and motivations
• Using problem-solving skills
• Developing a greater confidence in one’s own abilities
• Changing behavioral patterns
• Developing coping skills

True evidence-based DCBT follows the exact CBT process, differing from evidence-informed digital programs that use some CBT practices but are not built with fidelity to the intervention model. Learn more about evidence-based vs. evidence-informed behavioral health interventions here.

Impact of FearFighter and MoodCalmer on Mental Health

Our collaboration with NeuroFlow has yielded remarkable outcomes that underscore the power of innovative partnerships. In a recent study, members participating in the Digital Emotional Wellbeing program who completed 75% or more of FearFighter and MoodCalmer reported significant reductions in anxiety and depression symptoms within 90 days.

• FearFighter users experienced a 41% average reduction in Generalized Anxiety Disorder Assessment (GAD-7) scores, compared to other DCBT users who averaged an 11% reduction in GAD-7 scores.
• MoodCalmer users experienced a 24% average reduction in Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) scores, compared to an average 13% reduction among those who completed less of the program.

Beyond these impressive results, Magellan has seen a 124% increase in registrations after launching Digital Emotional Wellbeing over previous programs. Members also report high levels of satisfaction with the Digital Emotional Wellbeing program with 85% indicating they would recommend the program to someone else.

Visit Magellanhealthcare.com/digital-bh/ to learn more about the results and how our Digital Emotional Wellbeing program, including our award-winning DCBT programs improve anxiety, depression and more.

Sources:

• Exploring Barriers to Mental Health Care in the U.S. | AAMC
• What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy? (apa.org)
• Satiani A, Niedermier J, Satiani B, Svendsen DP. Projected Workforce of Psychiatrists in the United States: A Population Analysis. Psychiatr Serv. 2018 Jun 1;69(6):710-713. doi: 10.1176/appi.ps.201700344. Epub 2018 Mar 15. PMID: 29540118.

FearFighter® and MoodCalmer are owned by CCBT Limited Corporation, United Kingdom. CCBT has granted Magellan exclusive rights to FearFighter® and MoodCalmer in the U.S.

Since joining Magellan Health over a year ago, Karen Riccardi has been a part of developing various behavioral healthcare products aimed at helping people to live healthy, vibrant lives.  As senior product development manager, Riccardi’s main responsibility involves the development of behavioral health products and solutions that positively impact the lives of others and drive growth for the company.   Some of the products she has worked on include Magellan Healthcare’s Digital Emotional Wellbeing tool, Senior Assistance solution, and Collaborative Care product.  Riccardi, who is a Licensed Professional Counselor based in Virginia, discusses the products she is working on below.

What sort of cool, innovative projects are you currently working on?

Most recently, I have been working on the implementation of our Collaborative Care Management solution that increases access to behavioral health screening and care for low to moderate-risk behavioral health conditions within the primary care setting.  By using NeuroFlow’s technology and Magellan’s clinical management, we can improve medical and behavioral health integration.

I’ve also been working on the launch of our new Senior Assistance solution powered by DUOS. Senior Assistance helps address older adults’ social determinants of health (SDOH) needs and assists them in aging independently in their own homes by building long-term, high trust, one-on-one relationships with a personal assistant called a Duo.  Our pilot last year successfully addressed 93% of members’ SDOH needs.

There have been several other innovative products and projects I have had the chance to work on, including the development of the Wellbeing Navigator, which provides one-on-one support and guidance for employees and their household members with complex life concerns, the launch of eMbrace, Magellan’s evidence-based solution that supports members’ wellbeing, and development of a suicide prevention solution that includes education, awareness, tools, resources, and addresses other health issues such as substance use and teen mental health.

Why is Magellan Health the best place to develop these projects?

Magellan has a long history of behavioral health innovation and is well known in the behavioral health space.  The history and knowledge, along with leaders who encourage us to be creative and explore new, innovative solutions, make Magellan the best place to develop products that benefit the lives of our members.

What are your thoughts Magellan’s culture and how has it impacted your projects?

Everyone at Magellan is here because they want to make a difference and are dedicated to the work they do. It is energizing to work with coworkers who are passionate about what they do.  This makes working together easier and allows us to come together as a team.

What exciting trends have you noticed in the healthcare industry? In what direction do you see healthcare going? What lessons are there to learn from other industries that can be applied to healthcare?

There has been increased recognition of the importance of mental health and how it is a vital part of one’s wellbeing.  Telehealth and digital tools have proven to be effective means of treatment and are helping to address accessibility to providers.  Individuals have more choices today on how they want to receive behavioral health care, allowing them to be more in control of their healthcare.  It is vital we continue to focus on products and solutions that are high quality, demonstrate positive outcomes, and provide an exceptional patient experience. Individuals need to feel comfortable in seeking behavioral health care when they do not feel well mentally.