Telehealth Utilization Stabilizes at 22% of All Outpatient Visits

Virtual Care Finds Its Equilibrium

After the dramatic spike during the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent decline, telehealth utilization has stabilized at approximately 22% of all outpatient visits. This plateau suggests that virtual care has found a sustainable niche in the healthcare delivery system.

The stabilization comes after several quarters of modest decline from pandemic highs. The current level represents a significant and lasting shift from the pre-pandemic baseline, when telehealth accounted for less than 1% of outpatient encounters.

Behavioral Health Leads the Way

Behavioral and mental health services account for the largest share of telehealth encounters. The modality is a natural fit for therapy and psychiatric consultations, where physical examination is less critical and patient convenience drives adherence to treatment plans.

Primary care telehealth has also retained a meaningful share, particularly for follow-up visits, medication management, and triage of acute but non-emergency conditions. Specialty care telehealth usage varies widely by discipline.

Policy and Reimbursement Outlook

The permanence of telehealth depends in part on reimbursement policy. Recent legislative action has extended Medicare telehealth flexibilities, providing stability for health systems that have invested in virtual care infrastructure. Commercial payers have largely maintained telehealth coverage, though some have adjusted reimbursement rates.