In today’s workplace environment, employee mental health has emerged as a critical factor affecting organizational performance and success. Digital mental health platforms are increasingly being adopted as effective tools to support employee wellbeing while simultaneously improving business outcomes. Magellan Healthcare’s Digital Emotional Wellbeing Program, powered by NeuroFlow, is a core component of our Employee Assistance Program and a strategic solution that transforms mental health support from a cost center into a productivity driver.

Understanding the Business Impact of Mental Health Challenges

Recent research has revealed the significant economic implications of mental health issues in the workplace:

• The World Health Organization estimates that depression and anxiety cost the global economy approximately $1 trillion annually in lost productivity (2022)
• Employees working while struggling mentally (presenteeism) experience an average 8% productivity decline (Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 2023)
• Healthcare costs for employees with untreated mental health conditions are typically 20% higher (Milliman Research Report, 2020)
• Employee turnover related to burnout and mental health issues costs organizations an estimated $3,000 per employee annually (SHRM/Kronos Study, 2021)

How Digital Mental Health Solutions Are Addressing These Challenges Head-On

Modern digital mental health solutions deliver value across multiple dimensions:

1. Healthcare Cost Reduction – Digital tools that help employees track mood, sleep patterns and pain levels while building coping skills can identify mental health concerns before they escalate. The American Journal of Managed Care has found that early digital interventions can reduce overall healthcare costs by 15-23%.
2. Productivity Improvements – Access to evidence-based relaxation techniques, breathing exercises, and stress management tools directly translates to improved performance and reduced absenteeism. A 2023 Deloitte analysis revealed that companies investing in digital mental health resources saw a $4.20 return for every dollar spent through productivity enhancements.
3. Talent Attraction and Retention Benefits – In today’s competitive labor market, organizations that demonstrate commitment to employee wellbeing gain an edge in recruiting and retaining valuable talent. According to Gallup’s 2023 State of the Global Workplace report, 61% of employees consider mental health benefits “very important” when evaluating job opportunities.
4. Privacy and Accessibility Considerations – Effective digital mental health platforms should be HIPAA-compliant and accessible via multiple channels, ensuring all employees can benefit regardless of technology access. Strong confidentiality measures should protect sensitive health information while still providing organizational leaders with anonymized, aggregate insights.

A Strategic Business Decision

Mental health initiatives aren’t simply about compliance or expanding employee benefits—they represent strategic investments that directly impact operational excellence, innovation capacity and organizational resilience.

Investing in digital emotional wellbeing empowers employees to manage stress, build resilience and improve overall mental health—leading to a healthier, more productive workforce. Magellan Healthcare’s Digital Emotional Wellbeing Program, powered by NeuroFlow, offers accessible, evidence-based tools such as digital cognitive behavioral therapy (DCBT), mindfulness techniques and behavior tracking to support employees anytime, anywhere.

With proactive engagement features like gamification, rewards and automated check-ins, employees stay actively involved in their wellbeing journey. Employers also benefit from enterprise-level reporting that highlights workforce wellbeing trends while maintaining confidentiality. Prioritizing emotional wellbeing not only enhances workplace culture but also drives long-term business success.

By implementing comprehensive digital mental health solutions, organizations aren’t just supporting employee wellbeing—they’re making evidence-based investments in their company’s performance and long-term success.

Learn more about Magellan Employer Solutions.

Sources:

• World Health Organization. (2022). Mental Health and Work: Impact, Issues and Good Practices.
• Hemp, P. (2023). “Presenteeism: At Work—But Out of It.” Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 65(3), 252-263.
• Milliman Research Report. (2020). “How do individuals with behavioral health conditions contribute to physical healthcare costs?”
• Society for Human Resource Management & Kronos. (2021). “Employee Burnout: Causes and Cures.”
• Mordecai, D., et al. (2021). “Digital Mental Health Interventions: Cost-Effectiveness Analysis.” American Journal of Managed Care, 27(5), 196-203.
• Deloitte UK. (2023). “Mental health and employers: The case for investment – pandemic and beyond.”
• Gallup. (2023). “State of the Global Workplace: 2023 Report.”

Healthcare Human Resources (HR) Professionals Week, celebrated from March 10-14, is a time to recognize the vital role that human resources professionals play in the healthcare industry. These dedicated individuals ensure that healthcare organizations are staffed with skilled professionals, maintain employee well-being and uphold policies that create a positive work environment. This week, we acknowledge the hard work, dedication, and the essential contributions made by our HR employees.

• Mike Francisco, human resources business consultant, joined Magellan Federal in May 2013.
• Lisa Clarke, workday HR technologist, with Magellan since February 2020.
• Nicole McLain, director of talent acquisition at Magellan since September 2010.

Continue reading to learn more from Mike, Lisa and Nicole on their experiences as a healthcare HR professional:

Why did you want to pursue healthcare HR and what is the most rewarding aspect of working in this field?

Mike: I have been working in the federal contracting space for 30 years and until 2013, most of my work was in support of staff specializing in systems and equipment such as sensors, receivers, transmitters, logistics and intelligence support. As a veteran, supporting health related programs for the military service members and their families was a natural next step.

Lisa: My passion is to help employees find information and complete processes in the most efficient manner. Working in human resources has allowed me to do that. In my current position, supporting system processes, researching questions, creating reports that help provide insight and more are all very rewarding.

Nicole: I pursued a career in talent acquisition over 20 years ago because I found it to be a challenging yet fulfilling field. Specifically in healthcare because I need to be passionate about the industry and company that I work for to recruit people into it. I really enjoy all aspects of talent acquisition and how it has a direct impact on people’s lives. It’s extremely rewarding to help someone find their dream job!

What are some challenges you face in this profession and how do you overcome them?

Mike: Many of our employees are former military or spouses of military members and are deeply integrated into the military community. It’s only natural that they see themselves as working for the military. The best way to maintain employee engagement with Magellan is by frequent communication. Naturally, that starts with their supervisors, and as a human resource business consultant I work to help facilitate those communications. I also try to be readily available to employees in the field. Despite the push towards staff automation and self-service, people just want to talk to someone, and it is incumbent on all of us to make that effort.

Lisa: I would call them opportunities, not challenges! As we all know things change, and with these changes, our system workflows, process and data need to be updated. These changes can only be overcome by the collaboration of the amazing group of people within Magellan HR! I am so fortunate to be part of this team.

Nicole: I feel the biggest challenge in talent acquisition is finding qualified candidates that have the right skills, education and experience and that are a cultural fit within the organization, and most times I must find the right candidate on a tight deadline. I try and overcome this by leveraging employee referrals and using social media job boards, to source and expand the pool of candidates.

Is there anything you’d like to highlight about working in healthcare HR?

Mike: I can see that our team works hard to care for others. To avoid burnout, we need to do as much as possible to ensure that our employees have the necessary benefit information available to them. The online knowledge tool at Magellan has that information, and I can’t thank my fellow HR team enough for the work that has been put into creating a robust online library of resources.

Lisa: Employees working with customers here at Magellan have demanding jobs, it’s an honor and privilege to be able to support them in their HR needs.

Nicole: There is a preconceived notion out there about talent acquisition that anyone can recruit without having experience as a recruiter. While it might seem simple, there are a lot of nuances to the process. Talent acquisition professionals need strong interpersonal skills, empathy and an understanding of HR regulations, market trends and company culture. Additionally, the ability to negotiate offers, build relationships and manage multiple hiring processes requires specialized expertise.

What does National Healthcare HR Professionals week mean to you?

Mike: This week is designed to recognize HR professionals for their contributions to the industry. I’m happy to be part of a team of professionals doing what needs to be done to ensure that our clinical and non-clinical team received the support they need.

Lisa: It’s a chance for all of us to say, “thank you” and recognize those who work behind the scenes in all aspects of human resources.

Nicole: Healthcare HR Professionals Week is a time to recognize and celebrate the important role that HR professionals play in the industry. It’s an opportunity to acknowledge the unique challenges and impact HR professionals have in a field that directly influences people’s lives, health and wellbeing.

How does Magellan HR embrace a strengths-based culture?

Mike: Magellan fosters collaboration. Leaders make sure people have responsibilities based on their individual strengths and take the time to recognize their achievements.

Lisa: Magellan HR provides tools to help support an environment that focuses on employees’ natural talents and strengths through training, performance connection, internal career opportunities and peer to peer recognition opportunities like the High Five Friday!

Nicole: Magellan HR embraces a strengths-based culture by focusing on identifying, developing and leveraging the unique strengths of employees and understanding their talents and skills, which leads to more engaged, motivated and high-performing teams.

Observed during the third full week of March (March 16-22), National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week aims to inspire dialogue and offer education about the science of drug use and addiction. A number of surprising facts illustrate the seriousness of the issue today.

• Alcohol is the most commonly abused substance and the third most common cause of death in the U.S. Although legal, alcohol kills over 95,150 Americans each year.
• Thirteen is the average age at which children experiment with drugs.
• An estimated 60% of poor work performance can be tied to drug or alcohol use.
• 138 million Americans age 12 and over drink alcohol, and 20.4% of them have an alcohol use disorder.
• Common reactions to substance use include needing to consume more to get the same effect; substance dependency; painful withdrawal symptoms; high blood pressure and stroke; problems with the liver and pancreas; development of certain cancers; loss of motivation; depression and anxiety.

Visit MagellanHealthcare.com/about/bh-resources/mymh or call your program for confidential mental health resources.

Physical wellbeing: tips for maintaining a health body.

• Keep your physical wellbeing high on your priority list—it’s a foundation for thriving in all areas of life!
• Pay attention to how you feel and make adjustments as needed—rest when you’re tired and move when you’re restless.

Spotlight Magellan allows coworkers to get to know one another by going beyond the surface level through facilitated discussions that delve into personal interests, experiences and aspirations. Through intentional engagement, Spotlight Magellan aims to cultivate a sense of community and camaraderie across our company, ultimately contributing to a more cohesive and fulfilling remote workplace culture.

This month, we’re getting to know Jennifer Moran, veterans’ benefits specialist for the federal market. Jennifer has been with Magellan federal member services since July 2015.

Continue reading to learn more about Jennifer:

Describe a typical workday in your life.

I’m an attorney, and I was a Rating Veterans’ Service Representative at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for six years, where I adjudicated disability compensation and survivors’ benefits claims. Now, I represent veterans seeking benefits before the VA, both at the regional office level and before the Board of Veterans Appeals. My workday involves a great deal of client communication: intake calls with veterans seeking benefits, providing clients with case updates and coordinating the necessary paperwork and answering general benefits questions. The rest of the time I am reviewing veterans’ medical and personnel records page by page looking for evidence to help ensure that they are awarded appropriately, communicating internally with VA to address problems that arise with claims, preparing claims and evidence for submission and continually educating myself about constant changes in VA procedures, law and policy.

Do you have any secret talents/ something you’re very good at that would surprise others?

Few people know that I can sing. My mother was a highly trained lyric soprano with a voice like Julie Andrews. I was lucky enough to inherit some of her natural talent, which I exercise with joyous abandon in my car.

What are you currently reading or binge watching?

I am a bibliophile, with a 30-foot floor-to-ceiling library in my home. I’m always reading several books at once. My current favorite is “The Elements of Marie Curie” by Dava Sobel. As for binge-watching, it’s usually historical fiction. I’m just now watching “Outlander” and “Vikings.”

What is the farthest place you’ve traveled (or would like to travel to one day)?

The furthest I’ve ever traveled is New Zealand to visit a childhood pen pal with whom I exchanged letters in the days before email. We’re both over 50-years-old now and still keep in touch.

Do you have any pets? Tell us about what quirky personality traits your animals have!

I have three dogs, all former strays. Benson is my high-strung, slightly neurotic Staffordshire terrier who runs the house and greets all visitors with a shoe. Though the smallest, he’s been known to punch his siblings to be first in line for a piece of watermelon. RocNRoll is the massive (but very chill) 80 pound pit bull I adopted from a high-kill shelter 10 minutes before he was due to be put down. His hobbies include tearing up cardboard boxes and hanging by his jaws from tree branches. Ruger is a medium-sized pit bull/ mastiff/ German Shepard mix who looks like Scrappy-Doo with heavy eyeliner. He loves to watch television and likes to carry his favorite blanket with him everywhere.

Whether we believe in the concept of self-esteem or not, it is clear that feeling good about ourselves contributes to overall well-being. High self-esteem is associated with positive emotions, strong relationships, and a sense of purpose. Conversely, low self-esteem can lead to negative thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. So, how can you stay on the good side of the self-esteem ledger?

• Remember your “wins.” Remind yourself of the remarkable things you have done, no matter how insignificant they may seem. Know that you can succeed again!
• Always build a better you. As you examine your vision for the future, keep developing positive habits that help you achieve those desires. You’ll experience personal growth, plus meet your goals and achieve new heights.
• Wield compliments well. When someone praises you for your qualities or a job well done, fully accept those thanks and pass them on to help others feel good as well. Positivity is contagious!
• Don’t seek perfection. Remember that everyone makes mistakes sometimes. Pick yourself back up and keep pursuing your goals. They’re worth it!

Visit MagellanHealthcare.com/about/bh-resources/mymh or call you program for confidential mental health resources.

Emotional wellbeing: An essential element of resilience

Here are some strategies to enhance emotional wellbeing and adapt to change:

• Practice mindfulness. Mindfulness techniques like meditation and deep breathing can help you stay present and reduce stress.
• Set realistic goals. Break down large goals into smaller, manageable steps.
• Prioritize self-care. Make time for activities you enjoy, such as hobbies, exercise or spending time in nature.

Spotlight Magellan allows coworkers to get to know one another by going beyond the surface level through facilitated discussions that delve into personal interests, experiences and aspirations. Through intentional engagement, Spotlight Magellan aims to cultivate a sense of community and camaraderie across our company, ultimately contributing to a more cohesive and fulfilling remote workplace culture.

This month, we’re getting to know Dr. Samuel Pullen, chief medical officer for the Idaho Behavioral Health Plan. Dr. Pullen has been with Magellan since April 2024.

Continue reading to learn more about Dr. Pullen:

Describe a typical workday in your life.

We have such a tremendous opportunity here in Idaho to improve access to high quality mental health and substance use treatment and services. I feel fortunate to have such great colleagues and because of the scope of the work, no day really feels typical. There are activities I routinely participate in to support and advanceour work. I participate in utilization management rounds and residential care rounds. Residential care rounds are led by me where initial and concurrent cases are presented for children being considered for residential care. This has been a topic of particular importance in Idaho over the last several years. I also work closely with our quality team, along with our Medical Director, Dr. Jonathan Harland. Together, we review critical incidents and cases where there might be a quality-of-care concern. I spend the rest of a typical day meeting with our clinical team during our morning huddles, meeting with providers addressing various issues, meeting with the state and working with other members of our senior leadership to ensure the successful implementation of the Idaho Behavioral Health Plan.

What are you currently reading?

I am currently reading A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking. I also recently finished reading Fevers, Feuds and Diamonds by Dr. Paul Farmer.

Do you have a favorite recipe you love to make (or have made for you)?

I have sweet tooth, and my kids have really gotten into baking. I am usually asking them to save me some cookie dough.

What is the farthest place you’ve traveled (or would like to travel to one day)?

Greece! My wife and I vacationed in Athens, Santorini and Mykonos. I would love to go to Africa one day and spend some time in Rwanda, Tanzania and Kenya.

Who (dead or alive) inspires you and why?

Dr. Paul Farmer was (and still is) someone who inspired me. If you’ve ever watched the documentary Bending the Arc or read any of his books, it’s very hard not to come away inspired and also a feeling that we have an obligation to challenge the status quo and take action where we see a need.

Catch up on previous Spotlight Magellan articles to get to know your Magellan colleagues! Read all articles here.

With the start of a new year, it helps to assess not only your physical health but your mental wellbeing, too. Mental wellbeing serves as a foundation for all your activities, and it is important to get your thoughts and emotions pointed in a positive direction.

• Check in with yourself. If the recent holidays have left you feeling mentally conflicted or rattled, confide in a supportive loved one or a mental health professional. You are not alone!
• Get a gratitude start. While it is easier to spot the negative aspects of life, do not forget to make note of the great gifts you have each day—health, family, friendships, purpose, appreciation of nature and more.
• Ramp up self-care, particularly during stressful times. To unplug from stress, decrease your screen time, get outdoor exercise and spend time with loved ones.
• Take a trip. The bleak midwinter can sometimes be a drag. So, schedule a long weekend away where you take in new sights and sounds. This refreshment is great for your mental wellbeing!

Emotional wellbeing: Managing your emotions.

Your ability to handle daily life and major life events is heavily influenced by your emotional wellbeing. Thus, it is important to find ways to keep your emotions on as even a keel as possible. When confronted with uncertainty, know that you have been resilient before and can use the tools of resilience again to minimize your levels of stress and anxiety.

Visit MagellanHealthcare.com/about/bh-resources/mymh or call your program for confidential mental
health resources.

National Healthcare Quality Week is a vital time to recognize the dedication of healthcare professionals who strive to improve the quality of care. From October 20 through October 26, healthcare organizations can emphasize the need for innovation, collaboration, and accountability in healthcare practices. This week also serves as an opportunity to reflect on successes, address challenges, and foster a culture of quality improvement that benefits patients, members and communities alike. In honor of National Healthcare Quality Week, we’re spotlighting three Magellan Health employees:

• Vivian Fain, senior manager, quality improvement
• Brandi Smith, director of quality
• Maria Brachelli-Pigeon, quality improvement director, Magellan Behavioral Health of Pennsylvania

Continue reading to learn more about Vivian, Brandi and Maria’s work in healthcare quality:

Are there any initiatives with healthcare quality that you’re currently working on?

Vivian: I am currently working on performance improvement initiatives related to the identification and submission of critical incidents. This is a major undertaking that unites local providers, care coordinators, and utilization management. This is particularly significant when it comes to securing the safety and welfare of the most vulnerable populations we serve.

Brandi: I am currently partnering with the continuous improvement team and the overall data management plan. I work with the data management and data analytics team to help identify the correct metrics and data elements to build out our scorecards. These scorecards will be essential to reporting our data with a higher consistency and quality. These scorecards will not only be accessible to the employer team but will be built with filters that will make other business units more accessible in Magellan and ensure consistency in reporting across the company.

Maria: As part of the quality team, we often have many healthcare quality related initiatives running concurrently. I appreciate that in my current role I have ability to help shape the scope of projects and measure outcomes of the activities. However, as a healthcare quality professional, I’d argue that most, if not all, discussions we step into benefit from a healthcare quality lens. This means that whether we’re participating in a single discussion or supporting a larger initiative, the principles of healthcare quality can be leveraged to support improvements internally and externally.

How did you get involved with the healthcare quality field?

Vivian: I didn’t seek being involved with the healthcare quality field; the field found me. After many years providing direct care service, I wanted to do something more. At the time, I had no insight into the functions of managed care and how it related to the behavioral health field I was passionate about. Eight years ago, I interviewed for a completely different position than what I’m in, and I was subsequently recommended for a position in quality, that change the path of my career and led me to do what I do today.

Brandi: I got involved with the healthcare quality field by accident. I went to school for accounting and when I graduated college, I got a job in the accounting field. That job wasn’t a great fit for me, so while I looked for my next big adventure, I took temporary jobs with a temp company. One of the temporary positions was at GreenSpring Health in Columbia, Maryland. That temporary job led to a permanent position at GreenSpring in the quality department in 1996. GreenSpring was purchased by Magellan. Since then, I have jumped around to some other departments, but have always returned to my roots in the quality department.

Maria: I was fortunate that another strong quality professional took a chance on me and extended me an offer for a position on the quality team. When I accepted the role I’m currently in, I had no formalized training in healthcare quality. The learning curve was profound. I say now with confidence that it was an excellent move for me. I can also share that before I started my employment at Magellan, that I was impassioned to have a larger role in finding way to improve our community behavioral health system. I worked many years as a clinician treating families and individuals with significant trauma and other behavioral health needs. This role granted me firsthand witness to momentous challenges that my clients experienced with the system, and I came to Magellan with a desire to help triage the barriers I’d observed. I initially joined Magellan as a member of the clinical team, and deeply appreciated what I learned working in that capacity, but feel I’ve found a home working in the quality field.

What are some of the most challenging and rewarding aspects of working in healthcare quality? 

Vivian: What I love about my job is seeing the changes made to direct care services secondary to the performance improvement initiatives my team rolls out. The systemic changes we request of providers/facilities, cascade benefits not only to the members we serve, but also have a direct impact for all patients who receive services from the facilities and providers we engage through the performance improvement process. The most challenging aspect of working in healthcare quality is the fast pace in which things take place.

Brandi: One challenge of working in quality are the audits that we do. Audits are a critical piece of work to maintain our excellent level of care that we give to our members and providers. These audits provide valuable feedback to our staff and supervisors allowing us to deliver the same excellent service no matter which person answers the phone. Audits are always evolving to meet the needs of our internal and external customers. For me, the most rewarding aspect of working in quality is when someone identifies an issue, and I can find a solution. I am a problem solver at my core. This is what makes quality such an interesting place to work. We get to be involved in both the front-end work and the back-end reporting and analytics. Identifying issues before they turn into larger problems provides a sense of accomplishment that isn’t always available in other departments. It’s satisfying to send that email that says this issue has been resolved. I love working in the employer world because of the amazing partnerships quality has with our front-end colleagues.

Maria: Addressing challenges can be one of the most rewarding aspects of working in healthcare quality. Quality engages many tools to tackle barriers: the five why’s to understand root cause, we use Pareto charts to decide where impact could be most profound, Gannt charts to build out projects, Lean Six Sigma and Kaizen methods to identify steps in processes that aren’t value-added and eliminate waste, etc. We can help develop rapid cycle projects using the plan-do-study-act model to assess impact of interventions. Making processes more efficient, measuring improvements, and highlighting successes is very rewarding.

What does Healthcare Quality Week mean to you? Is there anything else you’d like to highlight about healthcare quality?

Vivian: I appreciate the recognition for what those in the field of healthcare quality are tasked to accomplish. The continuous quality improvement process we seek to replicate is no easy task for those resistant to change and is often misunderstood, while the benefits are far reaching and often taken for granted. Further, I would like to highlight the unseen nature of what we do, operating in the background of direct care, to ensure the direct care provided to patients is backed by high expectations.

Brandi: Healthcare quality week means that people get a small glimpse into the world of quality that not everyone gets in the normal day to day. Raising awareness of quality is important, as quality collaborates with every department in the organization. Quality can’t be successful without that collaboration, and whether you realize it or not, you have likely contributed to successful quality outcomes.

Maria: Healthcare Quality Week creates a dedicated time and space to reflect on how incorporation of quality principles in our work can be impactful for our staff, our customers, and our business. For me, this week is a time to extend appreciation to the individuals that are working in the background to improve workflows and outcomes. The quality teams across Magellan Health are extremely collaborative and supportive of one another. We are fortunate to have developed this network of professionals. I’m grateful to have kind and caring coworkers to partner on projects. In general, you’ll hear quality professionals share proclamations like, “quality is everyone’s job.” While it is important for a few of us to have knowledge/expertise on the quality framework to help drive strategies, all staff can have a role in quality.