In recent years, the stigma surrounding behavioral health has finally started to abate. Schools, governments, businesses and community organizations are normalizing conversations about anxiety, depression, loneliness, substance use disorder (SUD) and other conditions affecting emotional, psychological and social wellbeing. This change empowers more individuals to seek support. However, as awareness grows, so does the demand for behavioral health services. In 2023, an estimated 59 million American adults experienced a mental illness, and nearly half did not receive treatment.
CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst) is dedicated to meeting the behavioral health needs of our members, adding thousands of behavioral health providers to our networks across the mid-Atlantic region. However, accessing behavioral health services remains a significant challenge due to workforce shortages, financial barriers, and geographic disparities. The U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration reports that over one-third of the U.S. population lives in designated mental health professional shortage areas, mostly in rural communities. Nationwide, 60% of psychologists are not accepting new patients, and the average wait time for behavioral health services is 48 days. Fortunately, modern technology can enable scalable, affordable and innovative solutions to improve access to critical behavioral health care.
The Promise of Tech-Enabled Solutions in Meeting Behavioral Health Needs
Digital health tools are powerful solutions that help address gaps in access. From virtual therapy platforms to behavioral health apps and peer support communities, technology offers scalable, convenient options to deliver care and support to those in need.
To better serve our members, CareFirst has partnered with organizations committed to addressing the behavioral health crisis and using tech-based platforms to improve the clinician workforce shortage. For example, Navigator Healthcare, an independent healthcare service for those affected by SUD, leverages technology to provide access to 24/7 support and connect CareFirst members with a licensed behavioral health clinician to help them understand treatment options and schedule an evaluation within 24 hours. Once placed in a treatment program, Navigator helps members through rough patches and transitions of care on the way to recovery for up to six months. CareFirst has also partnered with Headway, a secure, tech-enabled platform that creates a seamless experience where members can browse and book appointments through an expansive network of behavioral health clinicians based on specialty, background, and real-time availability - all while getting immediate price transparency. We proudly support initiatives, including technology-based ones, that make behavioral health more accessible to the communities we serve.
Policy Solutions to Expand Access and Improve Affordability
Governments at all levels play a crucial role in making behavioral health technologies accessible, affordable and effective. Recent policy developments show growing momentum to tackle the behavioral health crisis. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule includes new billing codes that allow providers to be reimbursed for digital therapeutics, such as using digital tools, platforms, or devices for conditions like insomnia, anxiety, depression and SUD.
At the state level, the Maryland Department of Health launched a pilot program during the COVID-19 pandemic that distributed devices and provided access to high-speed internet for behavioral telehealth services. More recently, additional state funding was allocated to expand these efforts by improving mobile crisis team services and establishing behavioral health crisis stabilization centers to help Marylanders in need. To build on this momentum, policymakers should consider the following priorities:
- Develop strategies and incentives to recruit and train the next generation of behavioral health providers: Nationally, shortages in behavioral health professions are projected to continue. Policymakers should partner with academic institutions and community organizations to promote pipeline programs before higher education to increase awareness of behavioral health career opportunities. To attract more people to the profession, policymakers should also streamline the process for behavioral health providers seeking public service loan forgiveness and provide funding for behavioral health residency programs in provider shortage areas.
- Expand cross-state licensure for behavioral health providers: State law governs the provision of telehealth services and many states limit licensed behavioral health professionals to rendering services only to patients in that respective state. Adoption of interstate licensure compacts such as the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact or reciprocity agreements, such as the DMV Reciprocity Pathway, would streamline credentialing, allowing providers to serve more communities virtually, especially those with limited access to behavioral health resources.
- Invest in public-private tech infrastructure: Federal and state governments should invest in digital innovation through targeted grants and public-private partnerships. This includes expanding broadband access, increasing digital device availability and integrating digital literacy training into community-based behavioral health programs.
The magnitude of the behavioral health crisis demands a response that matches its urgency. Technology offers a cost-effective, scalable pathway to support millions of Americans who face barriers to care. But realizing this potential requires bold, coordinated action across sectors. This is a call to action for policymakers, technology developers and healthcare leaders to work together to shape a policy environment that fosters responsible innovation, equitable access and measurable outcomes in digital behavioral health.