Lin Health’s first-of-its-kind virtual treatment can provide an effective alternative to opioids
EAGAN, Minn., Feb. 12, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota (Blue Cross) today announced a new addition to its behavioral health provider network. Lin Health Medical Group (Lin Health) – a specialty virtual provider offering therapy and coaching for the treatment of chronic pain – is now available to Blue Cross commercial health plan members.
The new addition follows a year of significant expansion of the Blue Cross behavioral healthcare provider network, including the addition of two new virtual care providers for children and adolescents, as well as new options for the treatment of eating and substance use disorders.
“Blue Cross remains committed to offering comprehensive and convenient behavioral health solutions to our members that can improve their quality of life while reducing their overall healthcare costs,” said Dr. Mark Steffen, Chief Medical Officer at Blue Cross. “Lin Health provides a truly innovative alternative for those suffering from conditions such as back and neck pain, fibromyalgia, migraines and other chronic pain. By combining behavioral therapy and health coaching, along with medical oversight, Lin Health can provide a safe and effective treatment option with the potential to replace the use of prescription pain relief drugs, including opioids.”
Lin Health provides a virtual, evidence-based approach to managing chronic pain that addresses the cognitive, emotional and behavioral patterns affecting the experience of pain. 92% of patients reported an improvement in their pain and more than 25% of patients who were using pain medications prior to Lin Health reported that they had stopped using prescription pain relief medications altogether.
“Chronic pain and illness drive a significant share of healthcare visits, yet gold-standard, behavioral treatments have too often been out of reach,” said Lin Health CEO and Co-Founder Yehuda Kogan. “By pairing Blue Cross’ deep community roots with Lin’s human-led, tech-enabled treatment approach, we’re bridging medical and behavioral health to bring members insurance-covered, evidence-based care that is immediately accessible and personalized to each member’s needs. Together, we’re lowering barriers to care and helping Minnesotans reclaim their lives from chronic pain.”
Services from Lin Health are now available to Blue Cross members who have commercial (non-government) health insurance through their employer or purchase insurance on their own. Blue Cross members may confirm eligibility for behavioral health services in their respective Blue Cross online portal or by contacting their Blue Cross representative. More information about Blue Cross’ behavioral health plans and services can be found at www.bluecrossmn.com/bhvirtualcare.
About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota
For more than 90 years, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota (Bluecrossmn.com) has supported our members by ensuring access to high quality care at an affordable price. Our 3 million members can be found in every Minnesota county, all 50 states and on four continents. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
About Lin Health Medical Group
Lin Health tackles the biggest blind spot in U.S. healthcare: chronic pain, which costs more than cancer and diabetes combined at $635 billion annually. Our evidence-based, award-winning treatment retrains maladaptive pain circuits and restores function, bridging medical and behavioral care through elements of Pain Reprocessing Therapy, Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and other neuroplastic pain recovery techniques. Our adjunctive care improves population health, reduces provider burnout, supports value-based outcomes, lowers the total cost of care, and prevents system leakage. Founded in 2021 by industry veterans and backed by leading investment firms, we partner with health systems and payers to deliver immediately accessible continuity of care, built on end-to-end proprietary software that handles the entire business side of care delivery. With nationwide payer coverage for 60 million Americans, Lin is on a mission to reclaim lives from chronic pain. Learn more at www.lin.health
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Bryce Butzer | 651.662.9183
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota
bryce.butzer@bluecrossmn.com
