Telehealth Patterns in Medicare Beneficiaries
One in six Medicare beneficiaries used telehealth between 2021 and 2023, with mental health visits leading the way, states new research report.
By
Conexiant News Staff
February 19, 2026
Clinical Scorecard: Telehealth Patterns in Medicare Beneficiaries
At a Glance
Category Detail
Condition Telehealth utilization among Medicare beneficiaries Key Mechanisms Increased access to care for mental health and chronic conditions via virtual visits Target Population Medicare beneficiaries, particularly those with mental health conditions and chronic illnesses Care Setting Outpatient settings, primarily through telehealth platforms
Key Highlights
16.4% of Medicare beneficiaries had at least one telehealth visit from 2021 to 2023 45.1% of outpatient visits for mental health conditions were conducted via telehealth Telehealth users reported higher rates of fair or poor health and physical limitations Telehealth supported care for both chronic and acute medical conditions Withdrawal of telehealth flexibilities could disproportionately affect vulnerable beneficiaries Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
Utilize telehealth for mental health assessments and chronic disease management Management
Consider telehealth as a viable option for managing anxiety, depression, and chronic conditions Monitoring & Follow-up
Monitor health outcomes and access to care for beneficiaries using telehealth Risks
Evaluate the impact of potential withdrawal of telehealth coverage on access to care Patient & Prescribing Data
Medicare beneficiaries with mental health and chronic conditions
Telehealth is effective for managing mental health disorders and chronic illnesses
Clinical Best Practices
Encourage telehealth visits for patients with mobility or access barriers Integrate telehealth into routine care for chronic disease management Ensure continuity of care through sustained telehealth coverage References
