Case Study: Alma achieves simplified access to in‑network mental health providers with Optum Patient Access and Engagement

Alma simplifies access to in-network mental health providers with digital self-scheduling

Alma, a mental health network serving more than 15,000 providers, needed to make it easier for patients to find and book in‑network therapists to reduce out‑of‑network care. To address this challenge, Alma partnered with Optum and used Optum Patient Access and Engagement tools integrated into health plan channels like myUHC and Optum Live and Work Well to offer digital self‑scheduling for therapy and medication management visits.

Optum implemented omnichannel online scheduling with custom telehealth messaging for state compliance, collaborated on patient‑provider matching and simplified visit workflows, added an EAP question, and enabled automated email/text reminders. After going live in November 2022, Alma saw immediate demand: 84% of visits were booked by new patients, 76% were virtual, 72% were for talk therapy and 41% were scheduled after business hours, improving access and correct provider matching.

Alma