UnitedHealth Group has announced the shutdown of its Optum Virtual Care telehealth business. The company informed employees of this decision on April 18, with some being told that their last day with the company will be in July. Despite the closure of this specific service, virtual care remains an important aspect of UnitedHealth Group’s integrated care delivery model. The company is committed to providing patients with a comprehensive network of providers for virtual urgent, primary, and specialty care options.
UnitedHealth Group emphasized that they continuously evaluate their services to ensure they meet the changing needs of their customers. Reports suggest that telehealth usage declined in 2022, even as more individuals returned to in-person doctor visits during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. This trend was also observed by Amwell, another telehealth provider who attributed the decrease in telehealth usage to a milder flu season compared to the previous year.
Optum Virtual Care provided round-the-clock care through virtual visits with board-certified physicians and nationally certified nurse practitioners. The service was accessible in all 50 states. However, despite its popularity during the pandemic, declining telehealth usage patterns have been reported in 2023 as healthcare needs continue to evolve.