New Report Shows Pandemic Led to Skyrocketing Telehealth Use

February 24, 2022

A new study released by BlueCross BlueShield of Minnesota shows that as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual care claims increased dramatically from 2019 into 2020, with a year-over-year change of more than 3,700 percent.  

The report, "Embracing Virtual Care: 2020 Trends and the Path Forward," also found that: 

  • Traditional providers’ new virtual care offerings drove the majority of growth. 

  • Virtual-only provider usage doubled, yet grew at a lower rate than traditional providers’ virtual offerings. 

  • Behavioral health had the most rapid adoption of virtual care and maintained a high utilization. 

  • Adoption patterns varied significantly by specialty. Some specialties, such as ophthalmology utilized almost no virtual care, and others, such as endocrinology, maintained a sizable percentage of virtual care throughout 2020. 

Click here to see the full report.  

Latest News

Free Perinatal Education ECHO Series Now Available

May 21, 2026

The Minnesota Perinatal Quality Collaborative (MNPQC) is offering a free, virtual ECHO series on perinatal education.

First Cohort of Medical School Students Celebrated in St. Cloud

May 21, 2026

As a salute to the inaugural class of the University of Minnesota Medical School CentraCare Regional Campus St. Cloud, the MMA held an open house on May 18 at its Board Chair’s home in Sartell. 

MMA and More Than 400 Orgs Urge Federal Funding for Gun Violence Prevention Research

May 21, 2026

The MMA signed onto a letter to Congress’ Committee on Appropriations on May 18 urging leaders to include funding in the 2027 budget for gun violence prevention research.