Study: Telehealth does not result in duplicative care

Telehealth care is comparable to in-person care, according to a recently published study in JAMA Network Open. A review of data from 40.7 million commercially insured adults on Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association plans between July 1 and Dec. 31, 2020, showed people with an initial telehealth visit required in-person follow-up care at roughly the same rates as people who initially sought in-person care. People with acute conditions, especially respiratory infections, were slightly more likely to require in-person follow-up care, and people with chronic conditions were slightly less likely than people who initially sought care in person. The study results contrasted with pre-pandemic studies showing telehealth led to duplicate care. (JAMA Network Open article, 4/26/22)