AT THIS HOUR
Friday Morning Forum On The Business Of Our Behavior
“I love a good nap. Sometimes it’s the only thing getting me out of bed in the morning.”
— George Costanza
September 11, 2026
1: The number of mental healthcare visits under a new type of delivery model called single session therapy that employers and insurers are flocking to since it contains the number of visits and total costs of treating people with mental health needs. The single sessions with a virtual therapist may work for acute anxiety, for help dealing with an upcoming anxious event or relationship issue, but if 1-visit therapy becomes the norm, it would create issues for those with more serious needs.
Science: 84% of 204 caregivers for spouses and parents with Alzheimer’s say they are hopeful their loved one can try a new class of medicines intended to clear amyloid plaques from the brain and slow disease progression and cognitive decline. The drugs don’t stop the disease but alter its course. Patients and families are however learning about the cost and 58% say they may not able to afford or access it even though most say the significant side effects and follow-up care like multiple brain MRIs “would be worth the benefits.”
Sport: Next stop on The Boston Bulldogs documentary tour is Sunday Sept. 27 at 1pm at West Newton Cinema in Newton Mass, the 4th screening since winning best health film from Cannes World Film Festival. The film about a non-profit running club for addiction recovery and mental health has been shown at 187 schools in 5 countries. Tickets here. And to watch the latest trailer, go here.
Policy: An insurer in the western US, Premera BCBS, is now going to start requiring pre approval with tougher criteria for partial hospitalizations for people with mental healthcare needs. These programs are usually 1-2 weeks at a cost $600 to $1500 a day, roughly 6-8 hours a day of therapy. Insurers will argue about the relative medical necessity of the program, the number of days needed, and the overall value vs. other types of therapy. The programs will argue that these 2 week more intensive sessions allow the patient to still be in their home, with their family perhaps, but get help without the cost and limits of inpatient hospitalization that can cost $2000+ a day.
Perspective: Behavioral health is back on defense like I was as a young parent - see the essay here about the underappreciated effect of the Lindsay Clancy trial.