HealthPartners to close 7 clinics, 2 specialty centers and expand telemedicine services

HealthPartners on Wednesday announced some organizational changes amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The company said seven clinics and two specialty centers that had suspended services during the pandemic won’t reopen. Those locations are: Park Nicollet Shorewood Clinic, Cottage Grove, Highland Park, Riverside (Minneapolis), Stillwater Medical Group Mahtomedi and Westfields HealthStation (New Richmond). Regions Alcohol and Drug Abuse Program (ADAP, St. Paul), Regions Maplewood Behavioral Health Clinic and Central Minnesota Clinic (Sartell/St. Cloud area) will also close. HealthPartners said it is evaluating options to continue providing dental services in the St. Cloud area.

Meanwhile, the company said it will expand video visits and other digital capabilities. HealthPartners said it has completed nearly 300,000 video visits since early March.

"Our response to COVID-19 has led to innovation in caring for and serving people – for today as well as into the future," said Andrea Walsh, HealthPartners president and CEO. "This has included the expansion of telemedicine, drive-up testing and many other new models of care for our patients. And for our health plan customers, we’re redesigning health plan benefits and creating new digital tools to support health and well-being. It’s all part of our work to make health care simpler and more affordable."

HealthPartners said several clinics that had temporarily suspended services, including Eagan (Park Nicollet), Elk River, Wayzata, and West (St. Louis Park), as well as most dental clinics, will reopen. More clinics are expected to open later in the summer.

Additionally, some respiratory-only clinics will convert back to full-service, including Curve Crest (Stillwater), Lakeville, Plymouth and St. Paul (Wabasha St.) and the conversion of the University Avenue/Health Center for Women to a dedicated site for OB-GYN care.