Accolade (Nasdaq: ACCD), a personalized health and benefits solution, has announced a new care offering for mental health through a partnership with Ginger, an on-demand mental healthcare provider.
The partnership will allow Accolade’s more than 1.7 million members access to Ginger’s on-demand mental health coaching, virtual therapy and virtual psychiatry, and allow them to be delivered collaboratively alongside the care team.
As one of the first adopters of this new solution, Temple Health University System will look to Accolade’s Mental Health Integrated Care to make mental healthcare more convenient and efficient for employees.
“We understand the importance of driving medical advances through clinical innovation – and we are quick to recognize that Accolade is delivering an integrated mental and physical health solution that can have significant impact on the overall well-being of our people, and our business,” said John Lasky, executive vice president, chief human resources officer at Temple University Health System.
Nearly 70% of U.S. workers believe that they are experiencing the most stressful period of their careers, according to Ginger’s 2020 Workforce Attitudes Toward Mental Health Report.
“This year has been extremely hard on so many of us, as COVID-19 continues to disrupt our way of life. As a result, our country’s emotional and mental health is suffering, exacerbating chronic conditions and risking downstream health complications and costs,” said Accolade Chief Medical Officer Shantanu Nundy, M.D.
The partnership includes an integrated care collaboration aspect between the two companies.
“Our clinicians will meet regularly via clinical rounds to identify members who may have an unmet mental or physical health need and then develop a shared care plan,” said Ginger in an email to BHB. “Additionally, when Accolade refers a member to Ginger’s clinical services, Ginger’s coaches and clinicians will see a referral note, which provides context on the member’s needs.”
The partnership will also include proactive outreach to engage people who may need mental health support. For example, if Accolade notices that a member has filled a prescription for an antidepressant but doesn’t have any record of a mental health visit, they may receive an email highlighting the benefits of these visits through Ginger.
“Ginger’s on-demand mental healthcare system combined with Accolade’s personalized approach to care navigation are a significant step towards narrowing the gulf between mental and physical health – resulting in cost-effective, better health outcomes,” said Justin Hunt, medical director and head of psychiatry at Ginger.
