Outpatient telehealth use soared early in the COVID-19 pandemic but has since receded

Peterson-KFF: Outpatient telehealth use soared early in the COVID-19 pandemic but has since receded

A recent brief by Kaiser Family Foundation found services delivered through telehealth may improve access for people with certain conditions. The analysis found that from March through August 2021, eight percent of all outpatient visits were conducted via telehealth, down from 13 percent in the first six months of the pandemic, but still above pre-pandemic levels. It also found that adults age 65 and older relied on telehealth for a smaller share (five percent) of outpatient visits during this time than younger adults (eight percent) and children (11 percent). Patients in rural and urban areas used telehealth at similar rates during this period (10 percent and eight percent, respectively). Researchers concluded that regulatory and coverage policies, in addition to clinical guidelines and recommendations, will determine telehealth use in the future.