Generating value with mental health apps

Abstract

Background Although apps are increasingly being used to support the diagnosis, treatment and management of mental illness, there is no single means through which costs associated with mental apps are being reimbursed. Furthermore, different apps are amenable to different means of reimbursement as not all apps generate value in the same way. Aims To provide insights into how apps are currently generating value and being reimbursed across the world, with a particular focus on the situation in the USA. Method An international team performed secondary research on how apps are being used and on common pathways to remuneration. Results The uses of apps today and in the future are reviewed, the nature of the value delivered by apps is summarised and an overview of app reimbursement in the USA and other countries is provided. Recommendations regarding how payments might be made for apps in the future are discussed. Conclusions Currently, apps are being reimbursed through channels with other original purposes. There may be a need to develop an app-specific channel for reimbursement which is analogous to the channels used for devices, drugs and laboratory tests.

Leveraging Implementation Science to Understand Factors Influencing Sustained Use of Mental Health Apps: a Narrative Review

“…A key question when evaluating MH apps is whether they demonstrate an advantage over preexisting modes of care. There is a growing concern that researchers and developers may be creating apps without first identifying the need that the app is intended to meet (Furner et al 2018 ; Greenhalgh et al 2017 ; Lattie et al 2020 ; Powell et al 2020 ; Sim 2019 ). If patients, providers, or healthcare systems do not see the added value of an app, they will not use it.…”

“…Financial incentives and reimbursement are also important contextual factors to consider (Powell et al 2020 ). Many MH apps aim to profit directly from consumers; some are offered free in the app store with the option to pay for additional features (i.e., freemium apps), while others require payment for initial download (Powell et al 2019 ).…”

Acceptability and Utility of an Open-Access, Online Single-Session Intervention Platform for Adolescent Mental Health

“…The notion of low-cost, self-guided digital interventions thus appeals to researchers, providers, and clients alike. Indeed, mental healthcare apps are downloaded by millions of users annually [ 3 , 4 ], and a vast majority of adolescents in the United States have access to internet-equipped smartphones (95%) and computers (88%) [ 5 ]. These realities create opportunities for youth with no accessible alternatives to engage with digital supports.…”

The digital clinic: Implementing technology and augmenting care for mental health

“…The longevity and replicability of the clinic will be tied to achieving positive clinical outcomes in a financially sustainable manner. Our hope is to contribute positive, measurable outcomes to what limited research there is on the efficacy of digital health app interventions in mental health [30] and their economic endpoints. Overall health savings from improved mental health are well documented but ensuring that the evaluation timeframe of the digital clinic is suitable to realize and prove these outcomes will be important.…”