Visits, revenue, dropping at Minnesota's safety-net clinics due to COVID-19

Apr 06, 20200

Glen Stubbe – Star Tribune count

"If we collapse and the other centers do as well, it will be a domino effect that will overwhelm the hospital system," said Karina Forrest-Perkins, chief executive at People's Center Clinic & Services in Minneapolis.

Primary care visits are down significantly, creating financial problems for clinics but also potentially setting the stage for a wave of patients needing hospital emergency care at a time when COVID-19 is straining the system.

If left unmanaged, chronic conditions can turn into severe asthma attacks, diabetic shock, drug overdoses or mental health crises that can require hospital-level care.

https://www.startribune.com/visits-revenue-dropping-at-minnesota-s-safety-net-clinics-due-to-covid-19/569396492/