The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. introduced Behavioral Health and Substance Support Benefits, a new plan design option for its group hospital indemnity insurance product. The new plan includes additional benefits beyond traditional hospitalization coverage ? to help provide financial assistance for those who receive treatment for mental health conditions and substance use disorders. Recent research suggests a greater need for mental health and substance use disorder treatment. Nearly half of U.S. workers (48%) reported their anxiety level increased due to COVID-19, and 24% struggle with depression or anxiety on a daily or weekly basis, according to The Hartford?s Future of Benefits Study. The study also found 51% of employers, who don?t currently offer mental health services, are interested in adding these types of benefits in the future. About one-third (35%) of U.S. workers surveyed by The Hartford expressed interest in company-sponsored benefits that help treat addiction and 58% are interested in mental wellness programs. Hospital indemnity insurance provides a cash benefit if there?s a hospital stay due to an illness or injury covered by the plan. The Hartford?s new hospital indemnity plan design helps deliver financial assistance for those receiving substance use disorder and mental illness treatment, which can cost up to $25,000 for a 30-day inpatient addiction treatment program and up to $10,000 for outpatient treatment. The benefit payments can be used to cover costs related to medical expenses, such as copays or deductibles, as well as everyday costs, such as housing or groceries. The new hospital indemnity plan design is the latest example of The Hartford?s history of actions to help address the opioid crisis [4] and provide employers with voluntary benefit options to meet the changing needs of their workforce.