Consumers turned to telehealth in droves to access medical care during the coronavirus pandemic. Though current utilization remains higher than pre-pandemic levels, that wave of demand has subsided, leaving some to wonder how digitally delivered care will weave itself into the American healthcare system in the long term. [Healthcare Dive]

Experts say telehealth has carved out niches where it could become the front door to medical services — like in mental health, where utilization remains elevated above other use cases, or low-acuity urgent care, at a time when many Americans don’t have access to a primary care physician. 

Perhaps the biggest question mark hanging over the industry is whether Washington will make COVID-19-era telehealth flexibilities permanent. The move enjoys bipartisan congressional support and is backed by proposed legislation. In addition, federal regulators have moved to continue allowing providers to prescribe certain medications via telemedicine.

Even absent concrete action on the Hill, hospitals, payers and other healthcare companies are continuing to integrate virtual solutions into their operations. This includes tech giants like Amazon and Microsoft, which are angling to see how their consumer reach and artificial intelligence capabilities can augment telehealth access and delivery.

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