Telehealth Use in Primary Care Stabilizes After Pandemic Surge

Telehealth adoption in primary care appears to have leveled off following its rapid expansion during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to new findings from Epic Research.

Virtual visits accounted for more than 8% of primary care encounters in July 2022 but declined to just under 6% by October 2025 — a roughly 30% drop. Since 2023, however, telehealth has remained steady at about 6% to 7% of visits, suggesting a new equilibrium.

The pandemic-driven surge was fueled by federal policy changes that expanded Medicare telehealth coverage and allowed remote prescribing. While use has fallen across many specialties, mental health remains a leader, with over 26% of visits conducted virtually as of October 2025.

The analysis reviewed more than 400 million visits and found higher telehealth use among metropolitan residents, working-age adults, and patients preferring non-English languages. Recent legislation signed by Donald Trump extends Medicare telehealth flexibilities through 2027, adding policy stability to the sector.

21-02-2026