Spring Health

Spring Health’s platform offers a range of mental health services for employees and their families. These include self-guided online cognitive behavioral exercises, one-on-one coaching, clinical therapy sessions with licensed therapists, and medication management through psychiatrists. The company markets its solution as a modern alternative or supplement to traditional employee assistance programs (EAPs).^[1] A key aspect of Spring Health’s approach is its emphasis on precision mental healthcare: the platform uses data and machine-learning models to match people with the “right” type of care from the start, aiming to reduce the trial-and-error often involved in finding effective mental health treatment. For example, the algorithm may recommend a specific therapy modality or wellness exercise based on the user’s needs, and it refines its recommendations over time as more data is collected.^[7] In addition to virtual services, Spring Health provides care navigation support, connecting members to in-person providers or specialists when needed.^[1] The platform’s services can be accessed via a mobile app or web portal, and are offered as a benefit through employers or health insurance partnerships.^[10][11]

Despite its mission to improve mental well-being, Spring Health has faced criticism for its internal work culture. In late 2021, Business Insider reported that the startup’s intense, “fast-paced” work environment had led to employee burnout and high turnover. In response to these issues, CEO April Koh acknowledged in an email to staff that burnout had become a systemic problem within the company and pledged to improve internal support and workplace conditions.^[12]

In November 2024, Spring Health encountered a regulatory setback in California. The state’s Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) fined Spring Health $1 million for operating an unlicensed health service plan while offering its employee mental health programs to California clients.^[13] Regulators found that Spring Health had been administering behavioral health benefits to over 370,000 employees in California without the proper state license, essentially functioning as a health plan without authorization. Spring Health acknowledged the violation, agreed to pay the penalty, and took steps to secure the appropriate license to continue its services in California legally.^[14]