2019 Policy Institute: Supporting Digital Innovation in Behavioral Health

To date digital therapeutics have received little policy consideration, as most digital health policy tackles critical issues in telehealth and health IT. For those who advocate for advancing behavioral health care and lowering consumer costs, what do digital therapeutics mean for policy? In a payment system designed for providers, drugs, and devices, how do digital therapeutics fit in and how can policy help build a supportive clinical context for delivering effective digital therapeutics to those who would most benefit?

Mental Health America (MHA) is hosting its annual Policy Institute on Tuesday, June 11, 2019 in Washington, DC, immediately prior to the MHA Annual Conference. Titled Supporting Digital Innovation in Behavioral Health, this year’s event is held in partnership with the Digital Therapeutics Alliance and BrainFutures and will gather senior government officials, payers, providers, policy advocates, think tank staff, digital health companies, and more. This convening brings these important players together to foster a stronger public-private partnership and inform a policy brief MHA will issue to help guide the field.

The Policy Institute will be held in the Thornton Lounge on the 11th Floor of the Hyatt Regency Washington.

Agenda:

10:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.

Welcome and Introductory Remarks. Paul Gionfriddo, CEO, Mental Health America.

10:15 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.

Morning Keynote and the View from Congress. The Honorable Markwayne Mullin, Co-chair of the Congressional Health Care Innovation Caucus and Representative for Oklahoma's 2nd district.

10:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Innovations and Directions in Digital Therapeutics. What are digital therapeutics, what makes them different from other digital health innovations, and what opportunities do they offer to improve mental health and substance use outcomes while reducing consumer costs? We will hear from industry leaders on where they see the field heading, and what it could mean for behavioral health. Moderated by Megan Coder, PharmD, MBA, Executive Director, Digital Therapeutics Alliance. Featured speakers:

•Yuri A. Maricich MD, MBA, Chief Medical Officer, Pear Therapeutics

•Anil S. Jina, MD, Senior Vice President, Head of Scientific & Medical Affairs, Akili Interactive

•Adam Brickman, Senior Director, Strategic Communications and Public Policy, Omada Health

12:00 p.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Networking Lunch

12:30 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Lunch Discussion on Theories of Coverage for Digital Therapeutics. Looking at health care as a whole, what are our options for how digital therapeutics could fit into payment and delivery, and how should we weigh these options as we advocate for policy change? We will hear from a leading health services researcher on the pros and cons of different policy approaches for integrating digital therapeutics into the fabric of care. Featured speaker:

•Adam C. Powell, PhD, President, Payer+Provider Syndicate

1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Provider Perspectives on the Clinical Context for Digital Therapeutics. How would providers react to digital therapeutics, and what do they need to effectively use them as part of their care? We will get diverse provider perspectives on what kind of policy changes might better support the health care delivery system to engage with these new technologies. Moderated by Jenna Carl, PhD, Medical Director, Big Health. Featured speakers:

•Ann Greiner, MS, President and CEO, Patient-Centered Primary Care Collaborative

•Jeff Micklos, JD, Executive Director, Health Care Transformation Task Force

•Trina Histon, PhD, Senior Principal Consultant, Prevention, Wellness and Digital Health, Kaiser Permanente

2:15 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.

Payer Perspectives on the Policy Context for Digital Therapeutics. How do health insurers see digital therapeutics in the flurry of digital innovations, and what kind of policy reforms might help them navigate how and when they want to deploy these technologies? We will get reflections from different insurers and where they see policy challenges and opportunities ahead. Moderated by Linda Raines, CEO, BrainFutures. Featured speakers:

•Charles Gross, PhD, Vice President, Behavioral Health, Anthem Inc.

•Kate Berry, MPP, Senior Vice President, Clinical Affairs and Strategic Partnerships, America's Health Insurance Plans

•John Loughnane, MD, Chief of Innovation, Commonwealth Care Alliance

3:15 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Facilitated Discussion, Next Steps for Policy. Based on what we heard, what can policy-makers and advocates advance on the Hill, with the Administration, or in the states that might help get effective innovations to consumers, and ultimately improve mental health and substance use outcomes while reducing total costs? We will have a group discussion that will help build the foundation for the policy brief. Moderated by Nathaniel Counts, JD, Associate VP of Policy, Mental Health America, and Linda Raines, CEO, BrainFutures.

5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Networking Reception. Join us for further discussions at Article One Lounge located in the hotel lobby.

Inquiries about participation in the Policy Institite may be made to MHA's Nathaniel Counts at ncounts@mentalhealthamerica.net or Caren Howard at choward@mentalhealthamerica.net.