PITTSBURGH, Dec. 19, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- U Squared Interactive, a joint venture between the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Insurance Services (UPMC) and Ultrasis PLC (Ultrasis), announced the pending release of a newly-developed tool to estimate the health plan return-on-investment (ROI) of providing on-line or computerized cognitive behavioral therapy (CCBT) to plan members. The estimation tool, which incorporates both individual health plan data and figures from Ultrasis' decade of experience with CCBT treatment in the United Kingdom, allows health plan managers to more accurately gauge the financial impact of adding CCBT as a benefit.
"We have a decade of experience with the power of CCBT to both improve lives and reduce the use of health care expenditures," said Ultrasis Chief Executive Officer John Smith. "This ROI estimation tool allows us to bring our experience to health plan managers as they evaluate the addition of CCBT to their health plan benefits."
The ROI estimation tool uses a model which considers a number of health plan costs (costs of therapy and medication, CCBT acquisition and communication costs, etc.) as well as factoring in the health plan beneficiary characteristics such as age, literacy, Internet access, and more. The model estimates the cost-offset in reduced psychotherapy costs and medication expenses.
"From the payer perspective, the ROI numbers for CCBT are impressive," said Monica E. Oss, the chief executive officer of OPEN MINDS and one of the advisors to the model development process. "Depending on the health plan size and the length of time to ROI, the return ranges from twice to ten times the initial investment in CCBT – in just reduced mental health treatment costs alone. And, whether the payer is a health plan, an ACO, or a medical home, the power of CCBT to improve consumer well-being and reduce unnecessary service utilization is important."
A white paper outlining the model and the model assumptions is available at no charge in the OPEN MINDS library at: www.openminds.com/library/white-papers/usquared-online-cbt-121913.htm
An initial executive briefing on the model, as well as a demonstration and Q &A session, will be conducted online on Wednesday, January 29, 2014 at 11:00 AM EST by Smith, Oss, and UPMC executive, Sharon Hicks. The agenda for the web briefing will focus on:
- Summary of more than a decade of published research and clinical experience on CBT and CCBT in a variety of medical and behavioral health settings
- Best practices in deployment of CCBT in health plans
- A structured approach to estimating health plan return-on-investment (ROI) of CCBT, with an emphasis on assumptions
All registrants for the web briefing will receive (at no charge and regardless of attendance) a video recording of the web briefing and an electronic copy of the presentation document.
To learn more about the web briefing or take advantage of free online registration, please visit:
https://www4.gotomeeting.com/register/713670623
U2 Interactive's mission is to support all healthcare stakeholder communities in creating innovative and cost effective computer based solutions for everyday health problems, lifestyle issues, and long-term conditions. U2 Interactive believes in delivering evidenced based treatment via interactive and easy to use software programs. U Squared is jointly owned by UPMC & Ultrasis PLC and head quartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
John Smith, Chief Operating Officer, U Squared Interactive; Phone: 412-864-4141; E-mail:
