#United States #New York #mental health #FAIR Health #Telehealth Tracker

Insights from FAIR Health's Telehealth Tracker

Recently, FAIR Health unveiled its second edition of the Monthly Telehealth Regional Tracker Trending Reports. This edition highlights fascinating trends in telehealth usage across the U.S. from July to December 2024, emphasizing mental health as the foremost diagnostic category.

The Monthly Telehealth Regional Tracker uses extensive data to track telehealth's growth month after month. This initiative has not only garnered attention from various media but also attracted interest from essential healthcare stakeholders including researchers and healthcare providers. The reports provide an insightful glimpse into how telehealth is developing over longer periods rather than brief snapshots.

Telehealth Utilization Growth

The second edition indicates a notable increase in telehealth utilization, which surged by approximately 6.13% from July 2024 (4.74%) to December 2024 (5.04%). This growth was observed nationally and in all four census regions of the U.S.

In terms of diagnostic categories, mental health emerged as the predominant reason for telehealth consultations. However, there was a slight decline in its percentage of telehealth claim lines from July to December, decreasing from 67.01% to 66.70%. This drop was notable across most regions except for the West, where mental health conditions remained steady.

Regional Highlights

The reports also highlight unique trends specific to various regions:

• - Midwest: The top five diagnostic categories included substance use disorders and sleep disorders, with sleep disorders being particularly significant as it was positioned fifth from September to November.
• - Northeast: Here, substance use disorders also made an appearance among the top five categories, showcasing regional variations in telehealth diagnostics.
• - South: This region uniquely included hypertension in its top five diagnostic categories, sharing this distinction with the national level, indicating high prevalence.
• - West: Interestingly, COVID-19, diabetes mellitus, and abnormal blood pressure readings were among the top five diagnoses in this region, reflecting varied healthcare challenges relative to the national average.

Importance of the Reports

FAIR Health's Telehealth Tracker Trending Reports serve as an essential resource for understanding the evolving landscape of telehealth. It aids policymakers, healthcare providers, and insurers in making data-informed decisions. Healthcare professionals can leverage these insights to address specific regional needs and challenges effectively.

In conclusion, the findings from FAIR Health’s recent reports not only illustrate the prominence of mental health in telehealth but also reflect regional differences in healthcare demands. As the telehealth space continues to evolve, ongoing collection and analysis of data remain vital to responding to the diverse needs of patients effectively.