Virtual Solutions for Depression and Anxiety

Depression and anxiety are two of the most common mental health conditions in the United States, affecting more than one in five adults. For individual patients, these conditions can result in impaired focus, reduced motivation, disruptions to daily functioning, and suicidal ideation. Despite efforts to expand screening, many people with symptoms of anxiety or depression do not receive effective treatment 

Virtual solutions for depression and anxiety aim to improve patients’ symptoms and expand access to timely care. These solutions can be grouped into three broad categories:  

• Self-Guided Solutions—Offer a range of digital content, including lessons and activities, that users can access anytime and select topics that meet their needs. Some also offer coaching support. 
• Prescription Digital Therapeutics (PDTs)—Are FDA-cleared, software-based digital therapies that deliver digitized behavioral interventions which can be used in conjunction with clinician-supervised outpatient treatment. These must be prescribed to patients. 
• Blended-Care Solutions—Build on the self-guided digital content by integrating virtual care teams with licensed therapists and psychiatrists who can deliver mental health treatment.

Report contributors and reviewers provided important expertise and insight throughout our process. Those who directly contributed to the report have no relevant conflicts of interest to disclose.​

Based on PHTI’s review of the clinical evidence, virtual solutions for depression and anxiety can meaningfully improve outcomes for people with mild to moderate symptoms. In addition, the report finds that while virtual mental health solutions reduce spending for individual users, some have pricing models that increase total costs for employers and plans.

• Improve evidence generation by developing more comparative studies examining long-term durability of clinical effects, effectiveness across diverse populations, and outcomes for patients with mild symptoms.  
• Enhance engagement by researching and implementing features that increase sustained user participation, which correlates strongly with better clinical outcomes.  
• Focus on efficient care delivery through appropriate triage and stepped-care models that match patients to the most clinically appropriate and cost-effective support.  
• Align payment models with clinical benefits by creating variable pricing structures and value-based contracts that reduce per-member fees and shift toward outcome-based reimbursement.