Surge in Telehealth Claims Among Patients Across the U.S. Regions in July 2025

In July 2025, the percentage of patients utilizing telehealth services rose across the United States, as reported by FAIR Health's Monthly Telehealth Regional Tracker. This notable increase, reflective of evolving patient preferences, marks a shift in healthcare engagement. Regionally, the jump in telehealth claims varied with the Northeast showing the most significant rise at 2.6%, followed by the West at 1.8%, the South at 1.3%, and the Midwest at 0.1%.

According to the data, the national percentage of patients with a telehealth claim moved from 14.3% in June to 14.4% in July, a 0.9% increase overall. This upward trend highlights a broader acceptance of telehealth as a viable option for medical consultations, particularly in the wake of ongoing developments in healthcare technology.

Regional Analysis

The rise in telehealth claims indicates not only a national trend but also regional dynamics that influence patient behavior. While the Northeast exhibited the steepest increase, the Midwest experienced only a marginal rise. This suggests that varying levels of access and infrastructure may play a role in telehealth utilization rates across different regions.

Interestingly, telehealth services were employed less in June, where nationally, claim lines dropped from 5.0% to 4.9% of medical claim lines. However, the West showed resilience with a 2.4% increase in claim lines, suggesting a stronger integration of telehealth into existing healthcare practices in that region.

Diagnostic Trends

In July, several diagnostic categories surfaced in the top five nationally for telehealth. Notably, sleep disorders made a comeback in fifth place after disappearing from the rankings in June. In a shift from June, noninflammatory female disorders entered the top five for both the Midwest and Northeast, ranking fourth in the Midwest and fifth in both the Northeast and West.

Despite remaining at the forefront, mental health conditions, which have consistently topped the charts, saw a decrease in national claims from 63.1% to 62.0%. This decline, while slight, raises questions on the efficacy and consistency of telehealth arrangements pertaining to mental health.

Urban vs. Rural Divide

The July statistics indicated a stark contrast between urban and rural telehealth utilization. Across the board, urban areas reported higher telehealth claim percentages, with 14.6% of urban patients compared to a mere 7.4% in rural settings. This reveals a significant gap that continues to challenge equitable access to telehealth services. Notably, the West exhibited a pronounced disparity, where urban utilization was more than double that of rural patients, evidencing an urgent need for improved access in less populated areas.

Age Demographics

Age demographics also play a crucial role in telehealth utilization. The 31-40 age group represented the highest percentage of telehealth claims at 23.1%, followed closely by those aged 19-30 at 22.2%. In contrast, younger children and senior citizens constituted a minor share of overall claims, reflecting differing needs and accessibility among various age groups. This trend was consistent with findings from June, highlighting a demographic preference for telehealth services among young and middle-aged adults.

Procedure Categories

When analyzing procedure types, psychotherapy services and established outpatient services led nationally in telehealth claims. However, there was a notable shift; established patient office services climbed to the top position nationally at 48%, while psychotherapy services followed closely behind. This indicates an evolving landscape where traditional medical consultations through telehealth are gaining traction alongside dedicated mental health services.

Conclusion

FAIR Health's Monthly Telehealth Regional Tracker serves as a vital tool in understanding the dynamics of telehealth utilization. Launched in May 2020, this tracker not only provides data on monthly changes but also expands awareness surrounding healthcare access and transparency.

With the increasing reliance on telehealth amidst ongoing healthcare challenges, stakeholders are encouraged to leverage this data in advancing both infrastructure and policy that ensure all patients, regardless of geography, have access to quality care through telehealth services.