#United States #New York #Telehealth #FAIR Health #Sleep Disorders

Introduction

In a significant shift in telehealth services, sleep disorders emerged as one of the top five diagnostic categories across the United States in March 2025. This change is detailed in the latest report from FAIR Health, highlighting the increasing focuses towards mental and physical health through telehealth platforms.

Trends in Telehealth Utilization

In its Monthly Telehealth Regional Tracker, FAIR Health noted that sleep disorders accounted for 1.8 percent of all telehealth claims at the national level. This marks the first time that sleep-related issues have made such a significant appearance in the top diagnosis categories, landing in fifth place. Previously, joint and soft tissue diseases held the fifth position before climbing to fourth, evidencing a shake-up in the spectrum of health concerns addressed via telehealth.

While the nation witnessed a slight overall decline in telehealth claims, the West region reported an increase in patients seeking help for sleep disorders, further emphasizing a regional variance in health trends. The rise of telehealth for sleep disorders coincides with a broader shift in healthcare where patients are increasingly comfortable utilizing digital platforms for their healthcare needs.

Overall Telehealth Dynamics

March 2025 noted a decrease in the percentage of patients with telehealth claims, dropping from 14.5 percent to 14.3 percent nationally. This downward trend also permeated through most regions with the exception of the West, which saw a rise in telehealth usage. Despite this overall decline, mental health conditions continue to dominate the telehealth landscape, making up 61.6 percent of total claims during the same period.

Regional data revealed significant differences, with telehealth utilization in urban areas significantly higher than in rural settings. Nationally, nearly 14.5 percent of urban residents opted for telehealth services compared to just 7.2 percent in rural areas, highlighting the noticeable gap in access between urban and rural health services.

Age Demographics

Age played a critical role in telehealth use as well, with younger demographics leading the statistics. Patients aged 19 to 30 and those aged 31 to 40 accounted for the large majority of telehealth claims, further signifying a generational shift towards digital healthcare solutions. Conversely, very young children and senior citizens represented a smaller share of telehealth claims, pointing towards possible barriers faced by these age groups in accessing digital health services.

Notable Procedure Categories

Continuing a trend, the top two procedure categories for telehealth utilized during March 2025 remained unchanged, with established patient office visits and psychotherapy services leading the way. This indicates that patients are still primarily utilizing telehealth for routine healthcare and mental health services, even as sleep disorders gain traction in telehealth discussions.

Conclusion

The entry of sleep disorders into the top five telehealth diagnoses in March 2025 is an insightful reflection of evolving patient concerns and preferences. As healthcare continues to drive towards more accessible and on-demand solutions through telehealth, understanding these trends becomes essential for providers and stakeholders in the medical field. With growing awareness and acceptance, the future of telehealth across diagnosis categories remains promising, particularly as patients increasingly leverage technology to manage their health concerns effectively.