AJMC September 16, 2024
Experiences from a large, integrated, value-based health system suggest that telehealth can be an effective care delivery approach. Public policies can improve telehealth access and care.
ABSTRACT
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated telehealth expansion trends as policy makers instituted flexibilities and coverage changes. Federal telehealth flexibilities expire, however, at the end of 2024. To decide whether to extend those flexibilities, policy makers need information about consumer telehealth preferences, impacts of telehealth on care usage and quality, and telehealth accessibility for the full diversity of patients.
Research from one of the nation’s largest integrated, value-based health systems provides insights. Findings suggest that telehealth utilization has dropped since the peak of the pandemic but remains higher than prepandemic levels. Telehealth appears to be...