Cigna Study – Virtual care can reduce unnecessary ER, urgent care visits by 19 percent

Fierce Healthcare: Cigna Study – Virtual care can reduce unnecessary ER, urgent care visits by 19 percent

According to a new study by Cigna, integrating virtual care can save the health care system significant amounts of money and avoid unnecessary visits to the emergency department or urgent care centers. The study found that patients who saw virtual providers also saw 19 percent fewer visits to the ER or urgent care, and virtual urgent care visits reduced duplication of care by 16 percent compared to other virtual primary care providers or specialists. The study also found that 75 percent of customers who conducted a virtual wellness screening through its telehealth arm MDLive in 2020 lacked a regular primary care provider, suggesting that virtual visits could mitigate health care costs down the line by reaching people who may not otherwise have access to care.