The question for many health plan and provider organization executives is how to make the three elements – medical, behavioral, and social – in “whole person care” a reality in practice. The question is important because 35% of the $5.7 trillion in 2025 annual health care spending in the U.S. was used by the 5% of the population with a behavioral health or cognitive disorder – $1.9 trillion (see CMS Projects National Health Spending Grew To $5.7 Trillion In 2025 and US National Spending On Mental Health And Substance Use Disorder Treatment Driven By Case Growth, 2000-21).

Addressing the behavioral health and health-related social needs (HRSNs) of consumers with a wide variety of…