Using a five-year simulated model, researchers at Harvard Medical School and the National Institute for Health estimated that implementing advanced outreach programs for depression would save employers an average of about $3,000 per 1000 workers.
These results "may seem counterintuitive at first-namely, that a screening and care management intervention designed to increase the use and intensity of treatment for depression may actually save employers money," the authors write. "However, as our results suggest, the expected higher direct treatment costs are more than offset by savings from reduced absenteeism, presenteeism [when employees are at work, but unproductive] and employee turnover costs."
Read more: Enhanced Depression Care May be Cost-effective for Employers
ABSTRACT: The Costs and Benefits of Enhanced Depression Care to Employers