Utilization of Telemedicine Care For Primary & Mental Health Among Veterans During The COVID-19 Pandemic Reveal Rural-Urban Disparity

Utilization of primary and mental health care among U.S. veterans via telemedicine —including telephone, video, and secure messaging—varied significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic based on location (urban vs. rural).

Overall, the likelihood of telemedicine visits at rural veteran health care sites was 36% lower for primary care services and 66% lower for mental health integration services compared to the likelihood at urban sites. Ironically, before the COVID-19 public health emergency, the use of telemedicine services was higher at rural sites than urban sites.

Telemedicine & Video Visit Utilization For Primary Care & Mental Health Integration, By . . .