Americans, for the most part, are doing well heeding stay-at-home and social distancing guidelines, even when it comes to their health care. Though overall health care utilization has decreased significantly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth visits are up significantly in recent months. Recently, the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association reported a 1.6-fold increase in visits over this time last summer.
Of particular interest is the uptick in virtual behavioral health visits. According to BCBS, some 75% of people with behavioral health issues are continuing their therapy, and only 16% have delayed a mental health appointment.
Related: Utilization dropping for many clinics, but telehealth use is increasing
For millennials in particular, continued access to health care is particularly important, as BCBS notes the increased prevalence of chronic conditions among this age cohort, which can be exacerbated by untreated mental health issues.
Take a look at the infographic below for more insights on the importance of continuing behavioral health treatment:
(Click to enlarge)Read more:
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Emily Payne
Emily Payne is director, content analytics for ALM's Business & Finance Markets and former managing editor for BenefitsPRO. A Wisconsin native, she has spent the past decade writing and editing for various athletic and fitness publications. She holds an English degree and Business certificate from the University of Wisconsin.
