Why Didn’t Telehealth Expansion Increase Outpatient Visit Volume?

Telehealth became an integral component of outpatient care delivery during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, prompting ongoing debate about its impact on health care utilization. While expanded access raised concerns about the potential for increased demand, emerging evidence suggests that total outpatient visit volume has not increased in parallel with telehealth adoption. Understanding the mechanisms underlying this pattern is critical as policymakers consider the future of telehealth coverage.

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