Group psychedelic therapy: empirical estimates of cost-savings and improved access

Group psychedelic-assisted therapy, compared with individual therapy, reduces clinician costs by 50.9% for MDMA treatment of PTSD and 34.7% for psilocybin treatment of major depressive disorder, saving $3,467 and $981 per patient respectively. Using 2023 data from two trial sites and published prevalence estimates, treating all eligible U.S. adults with PTSD or MDD over ten years with group therapy would require 6,711 fewer full-time clinicians for MDMA-PTSD and 1,159 fewer for psilocybin-MDD, saving up to $10.3 billion and $2.0 billion. Adopting group protocols could lower costs, ease clinician shortages, and expand patient access.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Objective To compare group and individual psychedelic-assisted therapy in terms of clinician time, costs and patient access. Methods Using 2023 data from two group therapy trial sites, one using 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) to treat posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and one using psilocybin to treat major depressive disorder (MDD), we compared overall variable costs, clinician costs and clinician time required by therapy protocols utilizing groups versus individual patient therapy. Using published literature, we estimated the prevalence of adults with PTSD and MDD eligible for treatment with psychedelic therapy and projected the savings in time and cost required to treat these prevalent cases. Results Group therapy saved 50.9% of clinician costs for MDMA-PTSD and 34.7% for psilocybin-MDD, or $3,467 and $981 per patient, respectively. To treat all eligible PTSD and MDD patients in the U.S. in 10 years with group therapy, 6,711 fewer full-time equivalent (FTE) clinicians for MDMA-PTSD and 1,159 fewer for FTE clinicians for psilocybin-MDD would be needed, saving up to $10.3 billion and $2.0 billion respectively, discounted at 3% annually. Conclusion Adopting group therapy protocols where feasible would significantly reduce the cost of psychedelic-assisted therapies. By enhancing the number of patients served per clinician, group therapy could also ameliorate the anticipated shortage of appropriately trained clinicians, thereby accelerating access to these promising new therapies.