It's been a challenging year for many companies as they try to help employees balance the new circumstances 2020 has brought.

One study reported the staggering effect the pandemic is having on mental wellness, with one-third of Americans experiencing high levels of psychological distress at some point during the extended period of social distancing, necessary to slow the spread of COVID-19.

It's no surprise that Harvard Pilgrim Health Care's associate medical director for behavioral health, Dr. Anthony Sossong, is laser-focused on how health insurers and employers can enhance mental health and emotional well-being programs to support employees. 

"There's been a shift in focus from providing benefits to address illness to helping employees (either individually or as a group) maintain physical, emotional and financial wellness," says Sossong, adding that they all have become integrated within the workplace.

There's also an increased appreciation that mental, physical and financial well-being cannot be subdivided, according to Sossong, and yet, they are all interdependent.

The pandemic has been a life changer for many, and employers are especially looking to align their benefits for a more seamless experience for their employees, says Beth Roberts, senior vice president for commercial business at Harvard Pilgrim Health Care.

"Employers are doing more to ensure employees have easy access to services," says Roberts, including proactively educating employees on available offerings, including employee assistance program (EAP) services. She further encourages employers to collaborate with health insurers and their experts to help bring the right wellness solutions to their employees.

Listen to how employers and insurers are working together to expand ways for employees to connect, as well as learn about increased telehealth options, turnkey wellness outreach, rapid appointment access and more.   

Click here to listen to other podcasts from "The Path Of Transformation & Change: Health Care Benefits In 2021″ series.