New research published in the American Journal of Managed Care found that rural residents who used telehealth were more likely to receive preventive care services compared to those who did not. The study highlights telehealth’s potential to reduce long-standing access barriers—such as travel distance and transportation challenges—that often limit preventive care in rural areas.
Using administrative claims data from more than 2 million rural adults with commercial or Medicare Advantage coverage, researchers found that telehealth use was associated with higher rates of preventive visits in subsequent years. This trend was observed both during early telehealth expansion in 2020 and in the years that followed.
The findings also showed variation across patient groups, with stronger associations among women, individuals living in the South and West, and patients with certain chronic conditions, such as asthma. Researchers suggest that telehealth may help strengthen ongoing relationships between patients and providers, which is known to support timely preventive care.
As policymakers debate the future of telehealth flexibilities set to expire in early 2026, these findings may help inform decisions around long-term telehealth policy—particularly for rural populations.
Resource: Telehealth boosts preventive services for rural residents