5 Key Telehealth Insights

Recent findings from Epic Research highlight the stabilization of telehealth utilization following the extension of Medicare flexibilities through 2027. While primary care usage has leveled off at approximately 6-7%, the data reveals significant variations based on medical specialty, patient language preference, and geographic location. These insights underscore telehealth's evolving role as a permanent fixture in the healthcare ecosystem, balancing virtual and in-person care delivery.

Following the extension of Medicare telehealth flexibilities through December 31, 2027, an analysis by Epic Research indicates that virtual care has reached a "new steady state." In the primary care sector, utilization rates skyrocketed during the pandemic but saw a 30% decrease between July 2022 and October 2025, falling from over 8% to just under 6% of encounters. Researchers suggest that the current stabilization at 6-7% represents a sustainable balance between virtual and in-person care delivery models.

The research identifies distinct demographic trends, particularly regarding language and geography. Patients who prefer a language other than English—specifically Chinese, Portuguese, Russian, Persian, or Spanish—showed significantly higher 12-month rolling average telehealth utilization rates compared to English speakers as of October 2025. Furthermore, a geographic divide persists, with metropolitan patients utilizing telehealth at more than 6%, roughly double the sub-4% rate observed among patients in small towns and rural areas.

Telemedicine prevalence varies dramatically across medical specialties, reflecting different clinical needs for physical versus virtual interaction. As of December 2025, mental health services maintained the highest utilization rate at 28.2%, followed by endocrinology at 11.4% and obstetrics at 9.4%. Conversely, urgent care recorded the lowest utilization at 2.3%. These figures illustrate how telehealth has become an essential tool for expanding access to care and conserving financial resources within specific segments of the healthcare system.