Health care, payment options expand as COVID-19 restrictions are loosened

Safety measures and cost relief are being used to encourage people to get health care during this pandemic.

From the start of the COVID-19 shutdowns and stay at home orders, getting care was not as easy for a couple of reasons: Some facilities were either shut down or their care options were limited and some did not want to risk their safety.

Now, North Memorial Health has reopened all their clinics with changes to keep patients as safe as possible.

“Many people who had well-controlled chronic illnesses really found that their conditions worsened slightly because they weren’t getting the care that they needed,” said Jennifer Closer, chief executive officer for North Memorial Health Clinic.

“It’s really important for their long-term health for people to engage in that care,” she added.

A few noticeable changes inside their clinics include:

• Staggered appointment times to minimize overlap
• One-way human traffic flows entering and exiting the clinic
• Spaced waiting room experience and signage reminders to ensure social distancing

At HealthPartners’ clinics, your safety is not only kept in mind but your wallet as well. It recently announced it will be waiving Medicare cost-sharing for primary care and behavioral health visits.

“The vast, vast majority who have come to us for coverage will not have to worry about copays when they come for a primary care visit or seek mental health support,” said Dr. Pat Courneya, chief medical officer for HealthPartners Health Plan.

“It’s important for us to be able to emerge from the COVID pandemic, making sure we are meeting the needs and getting people their preventative care.”