MDH Study Shows Potential for More Accessible Health Care Through Telehealth

Minnesota Department of Health (MDH): MDH Study Shows Potential for More Accessible Health Care Through Telehealth

A study by MDH highlights the potential for telehealth to make care more accessible while providing similar levels of service to traditional, in-person ways of delivering care. The report, which focus on Minnesotans with private health insurance coverage, show that about 80 percent of Minnesotans were satisfied with the telehealth services they received, regardless of whether it was a video or audio visit. In addition, the study found telehealth has the potential to increase access to health care by removing barriers like transportation and the need to arrange child care. The study also highlights how phone, or audio-only, telehealth addresses narrow but important access issues, especially for Minnesotans in rural areas or with challenges accessing or using the technology supporting video-based telehealth. The preliminary report aligns with the Health and Human Services bill recently passed by the Minnesota legislature and signed into law by Gov. Tim Walz. The law extends coverage for audio-only care past its planned sunset in June 2023 while the state develops permanent policies for those services.