Employers who fund virtual care could net $635 per worker annually, a new study finds
Nearly half of Canadians who meet the criteria for a mood, anxiety, or substance-use disorder never receive professional care — and that gap is costing the economy $76bn a year.
A new cost-benefit analysis by economic research firm AppEco, based on virtual care provider Dialogue's integrated care model, estimates that expanding employer-funded virtual mental health services could cut that burden by 29 percent, saving roughly $22bn annually.
The model projects an ROI of up to 13-to-1, varying by industry, geography, wage level, and program engagement.
For a company with 500 employees, AppEco projects a net gain of $635 per employee per year.
Ontario accounts for the largest share of potential national savings at $8.5bn annually, followed by the West at $7.3bn, Québec at $4.6bn, and the East at $1.3bn.
The analysis found that increasing access to mental health care by just 10 percent through employer-funded virtual services could reduce untreated cases and connect people to care sooner — cutting average costs for treated individuals by more than 50 percent.
Absenteeism and presenteeism together account for the majority of mental health-related costs in Canada, and the report found that better care coordination through virtual models can reduce both.
Dialogue medical director Marc Robin said mental health care must be “accessible, timely, and integrated,” adding that coordinated virtual care improves outcomes for patients while generating measurable benefits for employers and society.
Earlier intervention and efficient care delivery reduce long-term costs while improving well-being, said AppEco vice-president and economist Julien Mc Donald-Guimond.
“From both a public policy and employer perspective, the return on investment is substantial.”
