UnitedHealth Group announced on April 18 that it will shut down its Virtual Care telemedicine service. The termination is planned for July. UnitedHealth Group has yet to explain the cause for the surprise closing. This may impact the ongoing digital shift in healthcare, a trend influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic.
UnitedHealth Group sent an official statement via email, promising job transition assistance and possible repositioning within the company for staff affected by the shutdown. The announcement also reiterated employee benefits such as wellness programs, financial aid for continuing education, and mental health services. The email acknowledged the difficult closure decision and ensured transparent communication.
UnitedHealth Group remains committed to providing virtual care as a key aspect of its integrated care model.
UnitedHealth discontinues Virtual Care service.
They maintain that telemedicine is pivotal for the continuity of patient care in a modern healthcare system, central to their push for a comprehensive healthcare delivery model. Even amid the closing of Virtual Care, the company plans to persevere with its digital transformation in healthcare accessibility and efficiency.
An essential part of the Group, Optum Virtual Care, continues to offer 24/7 medical attention through virtual consultations across the US. Despite a decrease in usage of UnitedHealth’s telemedicine services reported last year, they believe in the continuous potential of this tool, especially in underserved areas where access to healthcare remains a challenge.
However, with more people returning to conventional healthcare settings due to easing pandemic restrictions, telehealth usage started standardizing, with about 30%- 40% of consumers holding monthly telehealth consultations by July. Despite the reduction in usage, UnitedHealth plans to invest further in digital health initiatives into 2023. Healthcare experts opine that the pandemic-induced surge and subsequent decline in telehealth usage are yet to be fully understood.
2023 telemedicine consultations reduced slightly from 1.7 million in Q4 2022 to 1.6 million in Q4 2023. The company’s Chief Financial Officer attributed the drop to a less severe flu season than the previous year. However, even with the dip in telemedicine use, UnitedHealth remains committed to providing innovative and quality care to customers as a leading provider in healthcare’s changing landscape.
