Outpatient visits have returned to their pre-pandemic levels after declining by nearly 60%, according to a Commonwealth Fund new analysis.
The huge drop in people seeking care was bad both for providers and for patients, many of whom delayed care for conditions that may have worsened.
Telemedicine visits initially surged, but have since dropped off. However, they’re still above pre-pandemic levels, and experts predict that this may be a lasting side effect of the pandemic.
As people return to their doctors, health insurers will have to start paying claims again: UnitedHealth Group’s profit in the third quarter dipped 10% as people sought health care at rates “more closely approaching normal,” executives said on an earnings call yesterday.
source: https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/2020/oct/impact-covid-19-pandemic-outpatient-care-visits-return-prepandemic-levels
