Modern Health’s Adaptive Care Model delivers $2.39 ROI—based solely on health care cost savings. Learn how scalable support for moderate mental health concerns is driving real cost reductions and better outcomes across the workforce.
What if the most significant savings in mental health care don’t come from treating the most severe cases—but from reaching more employees earlier, with support that fits their needs?
That’s exactly what Modern Health’s latest return-on-investment (ROI) study shows.
Partnering with a third-party actuarial firm, Modern Health analyzed validated clinical outcomes from over 13,000 Modern Health members and paired that data with national health care claims benchmarks (MarketScan®).
The result?
$2.39 in health care savings for every $1 invested—driven primarily by improvements in employees with moderate mental health concerns who received flexible, scalable care.
This isn’t just about a single number. It’s about how that return is achieved—and what it signals about the future of workforce mental health strategy.
Too many mental health solutions focus primarily on treating high-severity conditions. While that care is essential, focusing exclusively on crisis care can miss broader opportunities to improve outcomes—and reduce health care costs—across the workforce.
“We prioritize getting members into clinical treatment—like therapy—fast, when clinical severity warrants it,” said Dr. Neha Chaudhary, Chief Medical Officer at Modern Health. “But mental health care must also evolve. We deliver the right level of care for each individual—whether that’s therapy, coaching, or self-guided tools—and adjust as their needs change.”
Modern Health’s Adaptive Care Model is built on this principle. It ensures people receive the most appropriate level of care at any point in time—responding to both clinical needs and personal preferences. That flexibility is what enables both better outcomes and cost efficiency.
One of the most striking findings from the study? About 60% of total savings came from employees with moderate mental health concerns.
So, what’s driving these savings?
When symptoms improve while less severe, employees rely less on high-cost care—like emergency room visits, prescriptions, and frequent primary care appointments.
Many in the moderate group improved through lower-intensity care options—like coaching and digital tools—that were clinically effective and more cost-efficient than therapy alone.
“People aren’t here to use a modality—they’re here to solve a problem. If we are talking about therapy versus no therapy, we are having the wrong conversation," said Dr. Chaudhary.
“Adaptive care is about driving meaningful outcomes for each individual by matching each person to the care that fits their needs, preferences, and context. When care adapts to the whole person, both outcomes and ROI improve—and in a way that’s equitable across regions and demographic groups.”
This reinforces that mental health support should never be one-dimensional. Rigid, therapy-directed approaches can leave large segments of the workforce behind—while adaptable models help people get better faster, reduce their reliance on expensive interventions, and support long-term cost containment by providing the right resources at the right time.
In today’s environment, HR leaders are under pressure—from rising health care costs to retention challenges—all while managing increasingly complex employee needs.
“HR leaders aren’t looking to choose which employees get care and which don’t,” said Alison Borland, Chief People and Strategy Officer at Modern Health. “They want confidence that their workforce has access to effective, high-quality care that fits different needs—and that their investment is paying off.”
Modern Health’s ROI study focuses on a specific, conservative metric: health care cost savings. It doesn’t account for retention, productivity, or engagement gains—which means the true value is likely even greater.
Employers don’t just need access to care—they need a strategy that adapts to the needs of their full workforce. That’s where the greatest return lives.
Modern Health’s Adaptive Care Model delivers measurable ROI and long-term value by combining clinical urgency, intelligent care matching, and the ability to evolve with each person.
Want to dive deeper into the methodology and outcomes?
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