Virtuwell offers at-home screening option for chlamydia, gonorrhea

HealthPartners sees 18 percent drop in preventive sexually transmitted infection screenings in 2020

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – Virtuwell, the 24/7 online clinic operated by HealthPartners, has expanded its service to patients and members by including an at-home screening option for chlamydia and gonorrhea. Because these sexually transmitted infections (STI) are often asymptomatic, untreated cases can greatly impact a patient’s long-term health and even lead to fertility issues.

In 2020, HealthPartners saw an 18 percent drop in the number of patients screened for STIs compared to the previous year, but according to Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) data released this week, the number of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) remained at very high levels. The state reported 33,252 STD cases last year compared to 33,725 cases in 2019. Despite the 1 percent decrease, there were nearly 22,000 reported cases of chlamydia, down 11 percent, and the state saw more than 10,000 cases of gonorrhea in 2020, which was a 27 percent increase.

“We know that many people put off clinic visits during the pandemic and that was certainly the case when it came to preventive screenings,” said Theresa Havalad, NP, care delivery manager for Virtuwell. “Staying current on STI screenings is about taking control of your own health; it’s about peace of mind and the safety of you and your partner.”

Virtuwell began offering at-home test kits to customers this spring. The at-home kits are ordered at virtuwell.com. They arrive about a week later. The kit includes a swab, a collection tube and a prepaid envelope. Once the lab receives the kit, confidential results will be ready in about two-to-three days. A certified nurse practitioner will review results and provide next steps along with treatment options for positive tests.

“At-home screenings are the easiest and most private way to get screened for STI. It’s an effective, low-cost service, which is often covered by your insurance provider,” said Havalad. “At Virtuwell, we are removing the need to schedule the appointment while providing the same type of testing for gonorrhea and chlamydia that you would receive in a clinic.”

Virtuwell was founded on the belief that health care should be simple, convenient and affordable. Kevin Palattao, senior vice president of Digital Care Delivery at HealthPartners, said the work to bring this at-home screening option to consumers started before the pandemic, but he believes it accelerated the expectations of consumers and the willingness of the industry to adapt.

“Virtuwell aims to empower consumers with fresh, simple and affordable health and wellness services,” Palattao said. “We’ve learned a lot about modernizing the clinic visit, and now we’re aiming to modernize the laboratory experience.”

For more information on the at-home screening option, visit virtuwell.com.