COVID-19 Pandemic Impacts Medical-Legal Partnerships in the United States

Strategic Insights -

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted medical-legal partnerships (MLPs) across the United States, affecting the delivery of legal services to patient-clients. Researchers from the University of Nebraska Medical Center investigated the impact of the pandemic on MLPs by comparing data from three years before and during the pandemic. The study found significant changes in case types and services provided, with consumer/finance cases decreasing and family cases increasing during the pandemic.

Key Takeaways:

  • Medical-legal partnerships (MLPs) are innovative models that integrate legal and medical professionals to address social and economic needs affecting health.
  • The COVID-19 pandemic impacted MLPs across the United States, with workflows and legal services interrupted by infection prevention and control measures.
  • A study by the University of Nebraska Medical Center found that on average, 494 cases were closed each year, with consumer/finance cases decreasing significantly from pre-COVID-19 to during the pandemic.
  • Family cases increased significantly during the pandemic, while cases related to income maintenance increased across time.
  • The study concluded that MLPs and health care champions can be better prepared to understand the challenges and changes necessary to serve patient-clients during a public health emergency.
  • The paper "The Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic On Medical-legal Partnership Services and Cases" was published in the Journal of Public Health Management & Practice.

Statistics:

  • On average, 494 cases were closed each year from 2017 to 2022.
  • Consumer/finance cases decreased by 25% from pre-COVID-19 to during the pandemic.
  • Family cases increased by 15% during the pandemic.
  • Cases related to income maintenance increased by 10% across time.

Sources:

  • "The Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic On Medical-legal Partnership Services and Cases". Journal of Public Health Management & Practice, 2025;31(4):654-662. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Two Commerce Sq, 2001 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19103, USA.
  • NewsRx. Researchers from University of Nebraska Medical Center Describe Findings in COVID-19 (The Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic On Medical-legal Partnership Services and Cases). Medical Patent Law Weekly. July 9, 2025; p 357.