Telehealth Utilization Declines Nationwide, Except in Midwest
Event summary
- Nationally, telehealth claim percentages decreased from 14.7% in September 2025 to 14.5% in October 2025, a 1.7% drop.
- Regional declines were observed in the Northeast (2.2%), South (2.5%), and West (2.5%), while the Midwest saw a slight increase (0.02%).
- Noninflammatory female disorders entered the top five national telehealth diagnostic categories for the first time, displacing sleep disorders.
- Mental health conditions continue to dominate telehealth claims, increasing from 62.1% to 63.9% nationally between September and October 2025.
The big picture
The decline in national telehealth utilization suggests a potential correction after the surge during the pandemic, as in-person care resumes. The regional variations indicate that telehealth adoption is not uniform and is influenced by local factors. The shift in diagnostic categories underscores the evolving nature of telehealth services and the need for providers to adapt to changing patient needs.
What we're watching
- Regional Divergence
- The Midwest's continued telehealth utilization increase warrants investigation, as it contrasts sharply with the nationwide trend and suggests unique local factors are at play.
- Diagnostic Shifts
- The emergence of noninflammatory female disorders as a top diagnostic category may indicate evolving patient needs or changes in telehealth service offerings, requiring further analysis of underlying drivers.
- Urban/Rural Gap
- The persistent disparity in telehealth adoption between urban and rural areas highlights the need for targeted interventions to improve access and equity in rural healthcare delivery.
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