Now that the Behavioral Health Tech 2024 has come to a close, the team at Violet is reflecting on takeaways from this year’s thought-provoking conference. BHT 2024 is the largest conference focused on expanding access to mental health and substance use care through technology, and health equity, bringing together health plans, employers, behavioral health providers, digital health companies, investors and policy makers. Violet co-hosted the election watch party with Backpack Health, offering a space for connection at the conference. Gaurang Choksi, Violet’s Founder and CEO, and Celeste Brown, Business Development Manager, recently joined the rest of the Violet team in Phoenix, Arizona to present insights, attend sessions, and meet with health plans, provider organizations, and thought leaders in the space.

Takeaways:

Gaurang Choksi

1. The case for value-based payments in mental health care has never been stronger.

At BHT 2024, one theme stood out across multiple sessions: payers are increasingly focused on advancing behavioral health care through value-based care (VBC) models. However, a significant barrier to progress remains—the fragmented approach to billing and measuring the total cost of care (TCOC) for physical health versus mental health.

Payers expressed a growing interest in partnerships with digital-first behavioral health networks, which offer the scalability needed to experiment, refine, and ultimately improve access and quality of care. Encouragingly, many are embracing innovative payment models and seeking deeper, more collaborative partnerships with technology providers to drive meaningful change in mental health care delivery.

2. Culturally responsive care is here to stay, and community collaboration is essential.

Despite concerns about the longevity of DEIB efforts in health care, it’s inspiring to witness growing momentum around health equity initiatives. Employers, payers, and digital health partners are aligning to build inclusive networks that address health disparities and deliver culturally responsive care.

One missing piece that we continue to see is the lack of accurate data on provider diversity and inclusivity—a crucial component for advancing equitable care. This theme resonated during sessions we attended, including one where Bukata Hayes and the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota (BCBS MN) team emphasized the importance of deeply engaging with communities to meet their unique health care needs.

For example, the Hmong community in Minnesota integrates spiritual healers into their care journeys, and BCBS MN took steps to ensure these services were covered under their plans. Another standout was the work with Health in Her Hue, which showcased how partnerships with innovative vendors can break new ground. By creating a bundled billing model for Health in Her Hue’s network of providers, BCBS MN significantly increased access to care for women of color.

These examples serve as a reminder that culturally responsive care is about more than checking a box—it’s about listening to lived experiences, building trust, and addressing real needs through creative, collaborative solutions.

Celeste Brown

1. Technology plays a major role in maternal mental health. 

Attending the BHT 2024 seminar on maternal mental health was an eye-opening experience, shedding light on critical gaps in pre- and postpartum care. It was deeply concerning to learn how frequently conditions like postpartum OCD, depression, and suicidal ideation go unaddressed—especially as they are leading causes of maternal mortality and disproportionately affect those facing racial inequities in health care access.

The seminar highlighted how technology can play a transformative role in this space: streamlining workflows, improving screenings, addressing social determinants of health, and fostering better collaboration between systems. Another powerful takeaway was the pivotal role of data in driving meaningful policy reform. By tracking outcomes and leveraging insights, we can inform decisions and improve programs that directly impact maternal mental health.

The panelists highlighted how restrictions on reproductive rights profoundly worsen maternal mental health challenges. They spoke of the urgent need to prioritize accessible, evidence-based care as a cornerstone of family support, with technology serving as a powerful tool to drive meaningful change in this area.

2. Reimagining behavioral health for neurodiverse communities.

I had the chance to attend the panel on the challenges folks with neurodiversity face in the behavioral health systems, how we can reimagine and redefine these systems. One of the most impactful moments for me was listening to Chris Wang, cofounder and CEO of Shimmer reframing her ADHD diagnosis from “something that needed to be fixed” to a strength of hers that allows her to think differently from others around her. Another key takeaway I had from the panel was the focus on universal design across health systems as a game changer-creating systems that work for both neurodiverse and neurotypicals and making these systems more data-driven and taking more collaborative approaches will only make health care more equitable and accessible for all. It was inspiring to see so much passion for building inclusive, innovative and preventative models of care- something we are deeply aligned with at Violet.

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