Telehealth in Numbers: Revealing the Latest Statistics

July 17, 2024

Dive into telehealth statistics, exploring growth trends, COVID-19 impact, and the future of remote healthcare.

Telehealth Statistics: Top 10 Key Findings

Telehealth utilization surged to 38 times normal levels by 2021.
Telehealth claims increased by 2,938% from March 2020 to March 2021.
Telehealth appointments accounted for 35.3% of all medical appointments in the United States in 2020.
Telehealth use under Medicare rose tenfold from about 5 million services (in April-December 2019) to over 53 million services during the same months in 2020.
Spending on telehealth services surged from around $306 million to about $3.7 billion during the same period.
In the United States, 79% of nephrology visits were conducted using telehealth services from April to November 2020.
From April to November 2020, 85.6% of radiation oncology visits in the U.S. were conducted via telehealth.
During the same period, telehealth was used for 78.2% of psychiatry visits in the U.S.
Telehealth appointments accounted for 35.3% of all medical appointments in the United States in 2020.
Telehealth services among Medicaid beneficiaries in five select states increased 15 times the pre-pandemic level (from 2.1 million the year before to 32.5 million in the 12 months from March 2020 to February 2021).

Telehealth Growth Trends

The growth trends in telehealth have been remarkable in recent years, with a significant increase in telehealth usage and market value. Understanding these trends is crucial in predicting the future of healthcare and how services may continue to evolve.

Rise in Telehealth Usage

The rise in telehealth usage has been substantial, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to a study, the rate of telemedicine usage increased from 0.12% in the prepandemic period to 3.43% and 1.85% in the subsequent two periods during the pandemic. In 2020, 67% of consumers stated they were more likely to use telehealth as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. By 2021, telehealth utilization had surged to 38 times normal levels [2].

Furthermore, telehealth claims saw a significant spike, increasing by 2,938% from March 2020 to March 2021. This reflects the rapid growth in virtual care adoption during this period.

Telehealth Market Value

Alongside usage, the market value of telehealth has also seen substantial growth. Telehealth services experienced a considerable increase during the COVID-19 pandemic, with telehealth use under Medicare rising tenfold from about 5 million services (in April-December 2019) to over 53 million services during the same months in 2020. Correspondingly, spending on telehealth services surged, increasing from around $306 million to about $3.7 billion during those periods.

The surge in telehealth services usage and market value is a clear indication of the pivotal role that telehealth is playing in modern healthcare. As we continue to navigate the ongoing pandemic and the future of healthcare, these telehealth statistics offer valuable insights into the direction we're heading.

Telehealth Utilization by Specialties

The application of telehealth varies across different medical specialties, with some areas exhibiting higher rates of telehealth use than others. In this section, we delve into the telehealth statistics pertaining to mental health, chronic disease management, oncology, and psychiatry.

Mental Health and Telehealth

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has seen a dramatic increase in telemedicine usage, especially in the field of mental and behavioral health. Claims related to these areas had the highest rates of telemedicine usage during this period.

According to Definitive Healthcare, mental health is one of the top telehealth specialties, reflecting the substantial growth in telehealth visits in this area. This increase could be attributed to the rising demand for mental health services during the pandemic coupled with the convenience of remote access to such services.

Chronic Disease Management via Telehealth

Chronic disease management is another area where telehealth has been extensively used. Telehealth provides an efficient platform for monitoring and managing chronic conditions, leading to an increase in telehealth visits for this specialty.

In the United States, for instance, 79% of nephrology visits were conducted using telehealth services from April to November 2020, indicating a significant adoption of telehealth in the management of chronic kidney disease.

Telehealth in Oncology and Psychiatry

Telehealth has also made significant inroads in the fields of oncology and psychiatry. From April to November 2020, 85.6% of radiation oncology visits in the U.S. were conducted via telehealth. This showcases the potential of telehealth in providing continuous care for cancer patients, especially during times when in-person visits pose health risks.

During the same period, telehealth was used for 78.2% of psychiatry visits in the U.S. [4]. The high rate of telehealth use in psychiatry underscores the suitability of remote care in addressing mental health issues.

Specialty	% of Visits via Telehealth (April-November 2020)
Mental Health	High
Chronic Disease Management (Nephrology)	79
Oncology (Radiation)	85.6
Psychiatry	78.2

These figures underscore the potential of telehealth in delivering specialized care across different medical fields. As the technology continues to advance and regulations evolve, the use of telehealth across various specialties is likely to grow even further.

The Impact of COVID-19 on Telehealth

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the healthcare sector, particularly in the field of telehealth. The statistics illustrate the vast increase in telehealth utilization during this period, highlighting its role in maintaining continuity of care while minimizing exposure to the virus.

Telehealth During the Pandemic

During the pandemic, the rate of telemedicine usage increased from 0.12% in the prepandemic period to 3.43% and 1.85% in the subsequent two periods. In 2020, 67% of consumers stated they were more likely to use telehealth as a result of the pandemic [2].

Telehealth services experienced a significant surge during the pandemic, with telehealth use under Medicare rising tenfold from about 5 million services (in April-December 2019) to over 53 million services during the same months in 2020. Spending on telehealth services also surged, increasing from around $306 million to about $3.7 billion during those periods [3].

Telehealth services among Medicaid beneficiaries in five select states also increased significantly during the pandemic, with the number of telehealth services surging 15 times the pre-pandemic level (from 2.1 million the year before to 32.5 million in the 12 months from March 2020 to February 2021).

Telehealth appointments accounted for 35.3% of all medical appointments in the United States in 2020 [5].

Post-Pandemic Telehealth Trends

The pandemic has paved the way for telehealth to continue growing even in the post-pandemic period. The rate of telemedicine usage has remained at a high level after the rollout of mass vaccination for COVID-19.

By 2021, telehealth utilization had surged to 38 times normal levels [2].

Telehealth claims also showcased rapid growth in virtual care adoption, increasing by 2,938% from March 2020 to March 2021.

These statistics provide insights into the dramatic growth of telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic and the potential for its continued utilization in the post-pandemic era. The future of healthcare is likely to continue leveraging the benefits of telehealth, especially for populations with limited access to in-person care or those seeking convenience and flexibility in managing their health.

Global Telehealth Statistics

The use of telehealth services varies widely across the globe, influenced by factors such as income levels, governmental policies, and accessibility to technology. This section will delve into the telehealth statistics in high-income countries, low-and-middle-income countries, and the telehealth market in various countries.

Telehealth in High-Income Countries

High-income countries (HICs) have seen a significant rise in the adoption of telehealth, primarily driven by the need to enhance healthcare delivery and compensate for resource limitations. Countries like Portugal have embraced telehealth as a complementary healthcare service, while others like the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Brazil have utilized telehealth systems to provide specialized services to remote communities.

However, the adoption of telehealth before COVID-19 was generally low in HICs. The pandemic has accelerated its use at a facility level, but nationwide adoption is still a challenge due to issues such as the lack of national policies and regulations [6].

Telehealth in Low-and-Middle-Income Countries

Similarly, in low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs), the adoption of telehealth was not widespread before the pandemic. Despite the potential benefits of telehealth, including improved access to healthcare and cost savings, its use at the national level is hindered by several challenges, including the lack of policies and regulations.

The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted an accelerated adoption of telehealth services at the facility level in LMICs. However, nationwide implementation is still a work in progress, indicating a need for government and healthcare stakeholders to consider telehealth as a crucial aspect of clinical working procedures.

Telehealth Market in Various Countries

The telehealth market size varies significantly across different countries, driven by factors such as technological infrastructure, healthcare policies, and patient demand.

Country	Market Value in 2020 (in billions)	Projected CAGR (2021-2026)
United States	$5.6	25%
China	$1.8	30%
India	$1	33%

Data cited from DLA Piper Handbook

These figures indicate a promising future for the telehealth market, with significant growth potential in various countries. The increasing adoption of digital health solutions, coupled with advancements in technology and changing healthcare policies, is expected to further accelerate the growth of the telehealth market globally.

Challenges and Barriers to Telehealth

Despite the significant growth and potential of telehealth, several challenges and barriers hinder its widespread adoption. These challenges range from regulatory and legal barriers to technological and logistical challenges that impact the accessibility and efficiency of telehealth services.

Regulatory and Legal Barriers

The advancement of telehealth has been hampered by regulatory, legal, and reimbursement barriers. These issues limit the scope of telehealth services and affect the reimbursement processes for telehealth care. However, recent legislative initiatives, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, have advocated for further advancements in telehealth.

In addition to these, there are other barriers to telehealth practice such as limitations with performing comprehensive physical examinations, security breaches, and regulatory hurdles. These barriers pose a significant challenge to the seamless integration of telehealth into mainstream healthcare services.

Furthermore, the lack of national policies and regulations makes the adoption of telehealth at the national level challenging in both high and low-middle-income countries. Governments and stakeholders in healthcare must consider telehealth as a healthcare procedure to be deployed in clinical working procedures.

Technological and Logistical Challenges

On the technological front, millions of Americans still lack access to high-speed internet (broadband), raising concerns about the accessibility of technology used for video health appointments. Moreover, some healthcare providers, particularly those in smaller practices, may lack the necessary technology for conducting private and secure video visits.

Telehealth appointments also have limitations in providing care. For instance, doctors may be unable to diagnose problems, examine injuries, or conduct physical exams via phone or video conference. Concerns have also been raised about the suitability of telehealth for certain patients, such as conducting child wellness visits.

In summary, while telehealth holds immense potential in transforming the healthcare landscape, overcoming these challenges is crucial for harnessing its full potential. This underscores the need for collaborative efforts from various stakeholders, including policymakers, healthcare providers, and technology companies, to address these challenges and make telehealth services more accessible and effective.

The Future of Telehealth Services

As digital technology continues to revolutionize healthcare, the future of telehealth services looks promising. Here, we will discuss the anticipated growth and opportunities of telehealth, as well as the efforts to address accessibility and equity issues.

Anticipated Growth and Opportunities

The telehealth market is expected to experience significant growth in the coming years. According to the DLA Piper Handbook, the telehealth market in the United States was valued at $5.6 billion in 2020, with a projected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 25% from 2021 to 2026.

In 2020, telehealth appointments accounted for 35.3% of all medical appointments in the United States. This high utilization rate underscores the potential of telehealth services to transform the healthcare landscape. Additionally, patient satisfaction with telehealth services in the United States was reported at 86% in 2020, indicating a high level of acceptance and appreciation for these services.

The growth of telehealth is not confined to the United States. In China, the telehealth market was valued at $1.8 billion in 2020, with a projected CAGR of 30% from 2021 to 2026. Similarly, India's telehealth market was valued at $1 billion in 2020, with an impressive projected CAGR of 33% from 2021 to 2026.

These statistics suggest a significant growth trajectory for telehealth services worldwide. As the market continues to expand, opportunities for innovation and improved patient care are expected to increase as well.

Addressing Accessibility and Equity Issues

While the growth of telehealth presents numerous opportunities, it also highlights the need to address accessibility and equity issues. Not all patients have access to the necessary technology or reliable internet connections to utilize telehealth services. Additionally, some patients may face language barriers or lack the digital literacy skills needed to navigate telehealth platforms.

To ensure that all patients can benefit from telehealth, it's crucial to identify and address these challenges. This could involve investing in infrastructure to improve internet access in underserved areas, providing devices for patients who lack them, offering multilingual telehealth services, and implementing educational programs to improve digital literacy.

The future of telehealth is bright, but realizing its full potential will require concerted efforts to ensure that these services are accessible and equitable for all.