Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 29, 2025

An Application for Pairing with Wearable Devices to Monitor Personal Health Status
Published on: February 3, 2022
Generating value with mental health apps
Adam C Powell1, John B Torous2, Joseph Firth3
1President, Payer+Provider Syndicate, USA.
Background:
Although apps are increasingly being used to support the diagnosis, treatment and management of mental illness, there is no single means through which costs associated with mental apps are being reimbursed. Furthermore, different apps are amenable to different means of reimbursement as not all apps generate value in the same way.
Aims:
To provide insights into how apps are currently generating value and being reimbursed across the world, with a particular focus on the situation in the USA.
Method:
An international team performed secondary research on how apps are being used and on common pathways to remuneration.
Results:
The uses of apps today and in the future are reviewed, the nature of the value delivered by apps is summarised and an overview of app reimbursement in the USA and other countries is provided. Recommendations regarding how payments might be made for apps in the future are discussed.
Conclusions:
Currently, apps are being reimbursed through channels with other original purposes. There may be a need to develop an app-specific channel for reimbursement which is analogous to the channels used for devices, drugs and laboratory tests.
Related Concept Videos
Stress and Mental Health
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
Self-Help Support Groups
Accessibility and Cost-Effectiveness
One of the primary strengths of self-help...
Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques VI
Motivation and Self-Determination
Motivation, the driving force behind behavior, plays a pivotal role at every stage of the change process. The research...
The Sense of Self: Reflected Self-Appraisal and Social Comparison
Community Based Intervention
Foundations of Community Mental Health Programs
Central to the success of community-based interventions is the...
Modeling in Therapy
Participant Modeling
Participant modeling involves therapists demonstrating calm and effective behaviors in...

