Chronic conditions and mental health are deeply intertwined. Studies show that patients managing long-term illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, or arthritis are much more likely to experience depression and anxiety. And poor mental health can also play a role in developing or exacerbating chronic conditions, perpetuating a vicious cycle that can be challenging to break.

While these conditions rarely occur in isolation, our healthcare system often treats them separately, leading to complications, a greater burden on the healthcare system, and rising costs for patients, payers, and providers.

Care models must shift towards long-term, whole-person solutions that address physical and mental health in tandem.

The link between chronic conditions and mental health

Chronic conditions, from type 2 diabetes and thyroid disease to heart disease to obesity, can vary in severity. But regardless of the chronic condition being discussed, there’s no denying their impact on mental health:

Mental health is more than an outcome of chronic illness—it can be a driver. Research has shown that both depression and anxiety lead to a higher chance of developing chronic conditions, poorer adherence to treatment plans, and reduced quality of life.8

Properly addressing chronic conditions and behavioral health requires an ongoing, comprehensive approach to care. This is where the whole-person approach comes in.

The benefits of whole-person care

Taking a comprehensive view of the patient, accounting for a patient’s behavioral health, physical health, lifestyle, and socioeconomic factors, is an approach that isn’t new. But it’s picking up steam. And, it works:

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  https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2791768

Key dimensions of the whole-person approach include:

1. Physical health

While physical health is a clear cornerstone, it’s evaluated in the context of the patient’s overall well-being, including:

• Current health status and risk factors
• Current chronic conditions
• Comorbidities that could create complications
• Barriers to achieving optimal health outcomes

2. Lifestyle

With a whole-person approach, providers examine factors such as diet, exercise, substance use, and living situation to understand how these impact both physical and behavioral health conditions.

Addressing lifestyle factors proactively sets the tone for healthier, more sustainable outcomes.

3. Mental health

With a whole-person approach, mental health is regarded with equal weight as physical health, acknowledging that conditions like depression, anxiety, and substance abuse disorders can impact how patients manage chronic conditions, and vice versa.

Whole-person care ensures that behavioral health records are considered alongside medical records, giving physicians the complete picture needed for informed decisions. If a patient is diagnosed with a chronic condition and suffers from a mental health condition, the physician would be able to loop the patient’s mental health provider in and manage care more effectively.

4. Socioeconomic factors

Financial constraints, inadequate access to quality care, one’s job, and education all affect a person’s healthcare outcomes. Whole-person care considers the patient’s socioeconomic status, allowing the provider to set realistic goals.

For instance, if someone doesn’t have access to quality food, providing costly meal plans that exceed their resource constraints will not benefit the patient. Tailoring support to a patient’s real-world circumstances ensures that interventions are both effective and sustainable.

MD Live by Evernorth: Whole-person care, from anywhere

MD Live eliminates silos by integrating whole-person care into one easy-to-use platform:

1. Physical health

MD Live connects members to convenient, integrated care that addresses both acute and long-term needs. Our physicians have an average of 10+ years’ experience and can deliver urgent care, virtual primary care, dermatology, and behavioral health support from one integrated platform:

• Comprehensive virtual care for everyday needs as well as chronic conditions
• Routine and preventive care including annual wellness screenings, integrated labs, and imaging orders
• Care available by video, phone, or asynchronously, to fit any member preference or schedule

And with E-Treatment, our asynchronous care modality, MD Live enhances health equity in underserved populations by providing talk-free care for over 100 conditions to those without access to broadband internet.

2. Lifestyle

Through virtual primary care, MD Live helps members make meaningful lifestyle changes to drive long-term wellness. Our physicians develop personalized care plans combining clinical guidance, digital tools, and behavioral support to address daily habits that influence well-being.

• Personalized care plans for chronic conditions that include goal-setting, health advice, exercise videos, and remote patient monitoring
• Weight management support with approved prescriptions, including GLP-1s, digital coaching, and meal planning support15
• Coaching and accountability through digital programs and ongoing follow-ups to help members sustain healthy habits and drive real behavior change

MD Live VPC doctors can also refer patients to behavioral health services when appropriate, helping them access further care.

3. Behavioral health

MD Live offers members fast access to licensed therapists and psychiatrists via audio or video appointments, with an average wait time of less than a week. With MD Live Behavioral Health, members can access:

• Caring support for anxiety, depression, trauma, job stress, parenting challenges, and more
• A suite of digital well-being tools, including mood and sleep tracking, journaling, and guided meditations
• Relationship counseling for couples and families

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  Anti-obesity medications (e.g., Wegovy, Saxenda, Contrave) are available at the physician’s discretion, except in the following states - Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and New Jersey. These medications are only available through a Primary Care Routine Care visit and cannot be prescribed during any other type of MDLIVE visit (e.g., Primary Care Wellness Screening, Urgent Care, etc.).

Outside factors play a large role in mental wellness, too. Because whole-person care entails looking at the complete picture, MD Live behavioral health professionals may also consult with schools and other entities, at the patient’s request and with their consent. This allows them to get outside perspectives, which could play a role in the patient’s behavioral health.

Lastly, if the patient sees other MD Live doctors, those doctors can access the same patient information and factor it into their care plan.

4. Socioeconomic factors

During any initial patient onboarding, MD Live asks a number of questions regarding someone’s socioeconomic challenges. This enables physicians to fully understand the unique circumstances a patient faces, as well as anything that might complicate their healthcare journey.

With on-demand formulary and real-time benefit checks, MD Live displays visit costs before an appointment. This makes it easier for members to plan their finances in advance and mitigates the risk of unexpected medical bills.