Medicare telehealth visits rise 63-fold during pandemic

The use of telehealth among Medicare recipients rose 63-fold during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Behavioral health providers and other specialists saw the highest telehealth utilization relative to other providers. A report produced by researchers in the Health and Human Services Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation also found people in in urban areas accessed more telehealth services than people in rural communities. Black Medicare beneficiaries were less likely than white beneficiaries to utilize telehealth. CMS used emergency waivers and other authorities to expand access to telehealth services during the pandemic. (CMS news release, 12/3/21)