Telehealth Usage: Trends among a Rural Population with Chronic Conditions
In a study of 11.5 million commercial, Medicare, and Medicaid members with chronic conditions, telehealth use was consistently lower in rural areas compared to non-rural areas. This trend persisted across conditions and insurance types, signaling a need for telehealth strategies tailored to rural access barriers.
Telehealth use spiked during the COVID-19 pandemic, and though it is now lower, its use remains above pre-pandemic levels. Telehealth can support chronic condition management by reducing barriers to accessing care such as provider shortages, transportation, and travel time, which are especially important for members living in rural areas with limited provider availability.
This study found members in rural areas had lower telehealth uptake overall: 4.6 percent of chronic condition visits in rural areas were via telehealth compared with 7.5 percent of visits among members in non-rural areas. Access to and use of telehealth may be affected by several factors, including telehealth availability, access to broadband and devices, digital literacy, personal preference, and condition-specific needs.
Related Public Policy Research
Telemedicine Utilization and Preventive Services Among a Rural Population
The use of telemedicine in rural areas was associated with a higher likelihood of utilizing preventive care. The magnitude of this relationship varied depending on underlying health conditions, sex, and region of residence.
Telemedicine in Rural Communities: Patterns of Use and User Characteristics
Individuals residing in rural areas often experience chronic health conditions at higher rates than those in urban areas and also encounter barriers to seeking healthcare, including long travel distances and shortages of certain providers. Telemedicine can address these challenges by providing virtual visits and expanding access to care.
Expiration of State Licensure Waivers and Out-of-State Telemedicine Relationships
Expiration of state licensure waivers was associated with reduced continuity of out-of-state telemedicine relationships, as patients were less likely to continue care with out-of-state clinicians, particularly when clinicians were geographically distant, rather than transitioning to in-person visits.