Online Care Reduces Per Episode Treatment Costs By 43%

Per-episode health care costs for people with one of 15 common non-urgent infections or inflammations served through an online clinic operated by HealthPartners in Minnesota were 43% less per episode than traditional clinic care. For consumers with common conditions such as ear infection, conjunctivitis, sinus problems or infection, urinary tract infection, acne, bronchitis, and sore throat, the per episode cost of care dropped by $88 -- with a per episode cost of $113.13 for use of the online clinic, compared to a per episode cost of $201.16 for traditional clinic care. HealthPartners launched the virtuwell online clinic . . .