After rising in October 2024, telehealth utilization reversed course in October 2025, falling nationally and in most regions, according to a Jan. 15 news release from nonprofit organization Fair Health. The Midwest was the only region to see a slight increase, continuing a year-over-year trend of regional divergence. The data suggests a shift in virtual care demand and highlights ongoing regional differences in how telehealth is used.
Here are six things to know:
1. National telehealth use declined in October.
The percentage of patients with a telehealth claim fell from 14.7% in September to 14.5% in October.
2. Every region saw a decrease except the Midwest.
Telehealth use fell 2.2% in the Northeast and 2.5% in both the South and West. The Midwest saw a slight increase of 0.02%.
3. Claim line volume also fell overall.
Telehealth claim lines dropped from 5.0% to 4.9% of all medical claims nationally. Utilization fell 4.1% in the Northeast and 3.6% in the West but rose 2.4% in the Midwest.
4. Mental health led telehealth claims.
Mental health conditions accounted for 63.9% of telehealth claims in October, up from 62.1% in September. Psychotherapy services made up 48.0% of those claims.
5. Urban areas used more telehealth than rural.
Nationally, 14.6% of urban patients used telehealth compared to 7.4% of rural patients. The Midwest showed the widest gap, with 11.1% of urban patients using telehealth, versus 4.8% of rural patients.
6. Young adults had the highest use.
Patients ages 19-30 had the highest telehealth usage at 24.0%, followed by those ages 31-40 at 23.2%. Usage was below 10% among patients younger than 10 and older than 65.
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