Because the COVID-19 pandemic has made face-to-face health care more challenging, many people have found themselves visiting their doctor in a new way—virtually. And while some were unsure of this idea at first, the feedback received by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota has been overwhelmingly positive. While doing a virtual visit with a doctor or therapist has been outside of the norm for most, people are now finding it to be easy, convenient and cost-effective.

For those who haven’t tried virtual care, it can be done through a simple video chat with your health care provider. I have used these myself—and, as a doctor, I can tell you with confidence that if you try it, you may find virtual care a great way to safely, conveniently and efficiently make sure you receive the care you need and stay healthy.

Blue Cross will continue to cover expanded telehealth benefits through the public health emergency.

 

With so many people continuing to try virtual care I believe our “new normal” will mean more people seeking virtual care more regularly—a transition that Blue Cross fully supports and will continue to cover. As such, Blue Cross announced we will continue to cover the expanded telehealth benefits that took effect in March through December 31, 2020. This extension includes coverage for behavioral health services; physical, speech and occupational therapy; and medication management. You can read more details on this expansion in this announcement.

More health care providers equipped for virtual care

Hospitals, clinics and other providers have quickly ramped up their virtual care capabilities in the last few months. In some cases, hospitals and clinics have had gone from less than one percent up to more than 50 percent of visits being done through virtual care.

In fact, between March 1^st and the end of June, Blue Cross processed nearly one million virtual care claims. With that many more people seeing their doctors in this way, Blue Cross is receiving a lot of feedback on how it is going—and we’re hearing our members say they would gladly continue to use virtual care.

Why seek virtual care

Seeing a doctor or therapist online is a great option. I can give you a few reasons why:

1. It can save you time.

Simply logging on to talk to your doctor or therapist through your phone or computer from home can save time for everyone. And, while not all services can be done through a telehealth visit, many can.

Time can often be a barrier to receiving care—and logging in for a consultation through a virtual care platform, video chat or even a phone call can be much quicker, easier and certainly more convenient for a lot of people.

Even if you still needed to go in for lab work, such as a blood draw, you could meet with your doctor virtually afterward, which will allow for a meaningful and informative visit with no time spent in the waiting room.

2. It can save you money.

Typically, it is more cost effective to receive care through a telehealth visit. In fact, a 2018 study from the American Journal of Medicine found that cost savings for telehealth range from $19 to $121 per visit.

At Blue Cross, we work to keeps our members’ physical and financial health in mind. So, no matter how this trend evolves, we’re continuing to make sure our members have the best possible experiences and health outcomes at a lower cost.

3. It’s quick and easy.

Virtual care is a great way to receive treatment for routine ailments and behavioral health therapy sessions. That is why Blue Cross works closely with Doctor on Demand where you can meet with a doctor or licensed therapist through a video chat for assessment, diagnosis and treatment of several conditions. More details about Doctor on Demand can be found on our website.

We also realize that while you may not have a preference as to which doctor you see for routine ailments, there are many reasons why you’ll want to see your regular doctor. Because health care providers adjusted the way they’ve been offering care, many more are now equipped to offer virtual care. If you haven’t checked in with your doctor yet this year, now may be a good time to ask about doing a virtual care visit.

4. It’s a convenient way to manage a chronic condition.

Regularly connecting with your doctor is very important for everyone—and especially important for people who are managing chronic conditions like heart disease or diabetes. These visits ensure you are able maximize your health and support your overall wellness. Often, these visits can be done virtually and if your health care provider does need to see you in person, they will let you know.

When to seek in-person care

While virtual care is a great option for many conditions, it is not the solution for all care. It is important to evaluate what type of care you need—and that in urgent or emergency situations, you should seek care immediately or call 911.

Unfortunately, there have been increasing reports that nervousness about the coronavirus has kept people from seeking in-person care. Rest assured that emergency rooms, hospitals and clinics have put many new measures in place to keep you safe and are absolutely where you should go when that type of care is needed.

Try it, you may like it

So, if you need to see your doctor, consider asking them about doing a virtual care visit. We’re committed to continuing to provide coverage of virtual care for many types of visits—like routine office visits and behavioral health visits—now and into the future.

More Information

The most up-to-date information from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota can be found at bluecrossmn.com/coronavirus.

More information about guidelines specific to Minnesota can be found on the Minnesota Department of Health website.

Information from the CDC can be found on their website.

The Blue Cross MN COVID-19 Nurse Line is available as a no-cost option for members to receive professional physical and emotional wellbeing advice. Those seeking information may call 855-579-7657 to speak to a representative.