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.

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Approximately 16.4% of Medicare beneficiaries utilized telehealth services between 2021 and 2023.
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Nearly half of all outpatient visits for mental health conditions were conducted via telehealth, totaling an estimated 31.3 million visits annually.
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Telehealth was less common for non-mental health conditions, with only 3.3% of outpatient visits delivered virtually.
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Telehealth users reported poorer health status and higher medical complexity compared to those who only used in-person care.
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Future policy decisions on telehealth should prioritize access and health system capacity to ensure continuity of care for vulnerable beneficiaries.

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