Quest, Catapult Health pair to provide mental health screening to employers

Secaucus-based Quest Diagnostics and Catapult Health are teaming to offer mental health screenings for employer organizations and their employees.
The collaboration pairs insights from Quest's at-homebiometric screenings, its Patient Service Centers, and from the worksite with Catapult Health's new VirtualCheckup solution.This includes virtual telehealth access to clinical services and depression screenings with emphasis on reducing risks related to preventable chronic diseases.
Quest says that many individuals are reluctant to seek in-person health care due to fear of contracting COVID-19.
"Social distancing and fear of contracting COVID-19 make it difficult for many individuals to access preventive care services from their health care providers. At the same time, employers recognize that at-home care, technology-enabled options, including preventive care and screening, can be highly effective in enabling prevention and treatment of chronic diseases, supporting better workforce health and lower medical costs," said Dr. Jay Wohlgemuth, senior vice president, chief medical officer, and head of the Quest Diagnostics'Employer Population Health programs.
The VirtualCheckup includes a video preventive care checkup to allow for confidential analysis and consultation with a nurse practitioner. Each session covers personal and family health history, Quest's lab test and biometric data, prescription drug adherence, depression screening, and concludes with the creation of a personal action plan to include referral into employer health and benefits programs.
The consultation also screens for potential COVID-19 exposure, and individuals identified as at-risk may be directed to COVID-19 diagnostic testing services provided by Quest.
"When people skip doctor visits, the consequences can be grave in terms of poorer long-term outcomes and higher medical costs," said Catapult Health Chief Executive Officer David Michel. "Because they sponsor much of the nation's healthcare, employers end up absorbing these costs to a great degree. Our unique virtual care model is designed to change that by taking preventive care into employee's homes, thereby solving for access to care, safety, and overall preventive care compliance."

CREDIT: Linda Lindner