Nationwide Increase in Telehealth Claims: Monthly Data Insights for August 2025

In recent months, telehealth has become an essential component of healthcare delivery in the United States, evidenced by a substantial rise in claims processed for virtual consultations. According to the latest data from FAIR Health's Monthly Telehealth Regional Tracker, the percentage of patients submitting telehealth claims has seen an upward trend nationally and across multiple regions, with a noteworthy exception in the Northeast. In August 2025, the national average of patients filing telehealth claims grew from 14.4% in July to 14.8%, marking a 2.2% increase overall.

Regional Breakdown of Telehealth Claims

Overview

Despite the national positive growth, the Northeast experienced a slight decline of 0.5% in telehealth claims. Meanwhile, regions such as the Midwest, South, and West saw significant increases—4.0% in the Midwest, 2.8% in the South, and 1.3% in the West. These disparities suggest a shifting landscape of medical service preferences, influenced by regional factors such as population density and healthcare infrastructure.

Detailed Telehealth Utilization

In terms of telehealth claim lines, a similar pattern emerged with an increase from 4.9% of medical claim lines in July to 5.1% in August. The Midwest's growth led the march with a 4.4% rise. The South, meanwhile, reported a 4.7% increase, signaling the larger acceptance of telemedicine among the patient base.

Top Diagnostic Categories for Telehealth

In a pivotal change, diabetes mellitus returned to the list of top five diagnostic categories for telehealth in the South during August, a first since April 2025. This category displaced encounter for examination, which has dropped out from the rankings. Interestingly, diabetes was absent from the top telehealth categories nationally or in any other regions, emphasizing localized healthcare trends.

Despite these shifts, patients with mental health conditions remain the leading demographic for telehealth claims. In August, 62.4% of telehealth claims were related to mental health services, a slight uptick from July. This trend reinforces the critical role of mental health support within telehealth frameworks, as patients seek more accessible options for care.

Urban vs Rural Telehealth Usage

Another trend evident in the data is the marked difference in telehealth utilization between urban and rural settings. In urban areas, 15.0% of patients engaged in telehealth services compared to only 7.5% in rural regions. The disparity suggests that infrastructure and access to technology significantly influence telehealth engagement levels. In the West, the gap widened further, with 19.5% urban usage against 8.5% rural.

Age Distribution Insights

Regarding age demographics, patients aged 31-40 made up the highest proportion of telehealth claimers, followed closely by the 19-30 age bracket. This suggests that younger generations are more inclined to adopt telehealth solutions, while older populations, particularly those aged 65 and above, represented the lowest claim proportions. Notably, however, in the West, 10.1% of patients within the 65 and older category accessed telehealth services.

Leading Procedure Categories

The procedure categories for telehealth in August remained consistent, with psychotherapy services and established patient office visits leading the charts. Established patient office services accounted for 47.97% of telehealth claims, whereas psychotherapy followed closely with 46.8%. These statistics highlight the continuing preference for psychological support through virtual means, especially in a post-pandemic landscape that values mental health.

Conclusion

The trends observed in telehealth claims for August 2025 reflect both the challenges and advancements in modern healthcare accessibility. As telehealth continues to evolve, mapping these regional and demographic usage patterns will be pivotal for healthcare providers, policymakers, and insurers to enhance service delivery and support strategies. The data not only underscores the lasting impact of the pandemic on health-seeking behavior but also sets the stage for future developments in healthcare technology—a landscape that will continue to reshape how America accesses care.