Three in ten medical visits in the U.S. may be done through telemedicine by the end of 2026, according to a report published by ScienceSoft.

Researchers agree that the necessary technology and demand are mostly in place. Most of the impediments to telehealth expansion are regulatory, although access to broadband does present a barrier for patients in rural and underserved areas.

Even though telehealth visits surged during the pandemic — a time in which federal regulations were relaxed and telehealth reimbursement policies were expanded — they declined steeply afterwards. The exception is mental health visits, which are more than three times higher than other medical specialties. In 2023, 38% of mental health appointments were done through telemedicine, the report said.

The ScienceSoft researchers believe this proves that the technological foundation for telehealth expansion already exists. Nearly 8 in 10 hospitals had installed a telemedicine solution as of February 2024, according to hospital data cited in the report.

However, having access to broadband remains an issue faced by patients in rural and underserved areas of the U.S. The report noted that audio-only visits can suffice for telemedicine when video calls aren’t viable. Government data from July/August 2022 showed that nearly half of all telehealth appointments were audio-only.

The report identified key factors influencing telemedicine adoption, emphasizing insufficient government support as a primary obstacle. Many telehealth regulatory flexibilities introduced during the pandemic ended on December 31, 2024, leaving the future of telemedicine uncertain as of February 2025. The American Hospital Association, representing nearly 5,000 member hospitals, has urged Congress to make these flexibilities permanent.

Due to the continued advocacy from the U.S. medical community, Congress is expected to solidify and expand current telehealth policies, the report contends, which will drive adoption.

For this report, ScienceSoft’s research team examined industry statistics, telemedicine regulation trends and challenges, and insights from healthcare leaders to offer a new outlook on the future of telehealth in the U.S.