Richmond-based Virginia Commonwealth University analyzed more than 21 million primary care visits across the state and found that while telehealth use surged during the pandemic, broadband access and poverty levels continue to drive disparities in care.
The study, published Jan. 20 in JMIR Publications, reviewed data from more than 41 million initial records in the Virginia All-Payer Claims Database. It focused on visits from 2016 to 2021 and included more than 2.6 million telehealth encounters.
Researchers found that telehealth utilization remained significantly elevated by 2021 compared to pre-pandemic levels. Usage rose among older adults and rural residents, but geography and digital infrastructure still shaped access.
The analysis linked lower telehealth use to areas with higher poverty rates and poor broadband connectivity, underscoring that digital health equity relies on more than just access to devices or services.
The study’s timing coincides with the forthcoming Jan. 30 expiration of emergency Medicare waivers that broadened telehealth coverage. Researchers warned that without permanent policy solutions and infrastructure investments, disparities may deepen.
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