The “New” New Normal: Changes in Telemedicine Utilization Since COVID-19

Telemedicine, broadly defined as the delivery of health care services via telecommunications and computer technologies, enables providers to offer care without direct, in-person interaction with patients.Telemedicine can expand patients’ access to health care providers, particularly for low-acuity medical services, at lower costs.Given its transformative impact on care delivery, understanding telemedicine’s utilization patterns and the complexity of services it supports is essential for guiding future policy and resource allocation.The COVID-19 pandemic triggered a rapid uptake of telemedicine in the US, aided by policy changes allowing reimbursement for telemedicine services at parity with in-person services.4 Analysis of telemedicine utilization reveals its evolving role in health care delivery, from substituting for in-person services during the pandemic to coexistence with office visits in the postpandemic era.