BLUE BELL, PA — As demand for behavioral health services continues to outpace supply nationwide, Health Advocate has launched the first phase of a new digital platform designed to ease access to care by strengthening connections between patients, providers, and employee assistance programs.
The company announced the release of Care Connect for Providers, an app that marks the initial rollout of its broader Care Connect platform. The system is intended to securely and confidentially link millions of members with a global network of thousands of mental health providers while streamlining access to employer-sponsored Employee Assistance Program services.
Health Advocate said the platform arrives at a moment when access to mental health care remains a persistent national challenge, compounded by a shortage of qualified providers and rising demand for services. The provider-facing app is designed to simplify administrative tasks, reduce friction in onboarding and credentialing, and allow clinicians to focus more of their time on patient care.
Laura Calcaterra, vice president of clinical operations for EAP at Health Advocate, said the company built the app with providers’ realities in mind. She said technology should support, rather than replace, the human connection at the center of effective mental health care, especially as more people seek help amid limited clinical capacity.
Unlike open or third-party provider lists, Health Advocate said its affiliate provider network is curated and vetted to meet member needs. The Care Connect for Providers app is built to support that network with HIPAA-compliant tools that integrate providers more closely with Health Advocate’s internal clinical team, which includes master’s-level care managers and clinical leadership.
Key features of the app include streamlined onboarding for faster entry into the provider network, simplified credentialing with automated tracking of licenses and insurance documentation, and integrated billing tools that connect session tracking and invoicing directly to payment systems. Providers can also manage practice profiles, update availability, and receive referrals aligned with their expertise.
The company emphasized that security was central to the platform’s design. Health Advocate said Care Connect exceeds HIPAA requirements, using advanced encryption, continuous monitoring, and a privacy-first framework overseen by a dedicated security team.
Jeff Cordell, president and chief executive officer of Health Advocate, said the platform reflects the company’s broader strategy of pairing modern digital tools with clinical judgment. He said Care Connect was built to scale while preserving privacy, professional autonomy, and personal connection between clinicians and those they serve.
Health Advocate said additional phases of the Care Connect platform will roll out over time, expanding its capabilities as part of a longer-term effort to build a more connected and efficient mental health care ecosystem.
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