The coronavirus pandemic has resulted in never-before-seen experiments around remote work, the metaverse, and finally embracing leggings as real pants. It’s also created a budding star in healthcare: telemedicine.

The U.S. government defines telemedicine as the use of information and communication technologies to provide clinical healthcare services. “Telehealth” implies both clinical and non-clinical services, though it's often used interchangeably with telemedicine.
COVID-19 could be the tipping point. Virtual doctor visits jumped from ~12,000/week to more than 1 million/week during the pandemic. “Physicians have now basically crossed the rubicon,” NY Presbyterian CEO Steven Corwin told Fortune.

So what's in the way?
While it's not new, telemedicine hasn’t been a top priority for providers or insurers. Virtual visits can be less profitable than in-person services, especially for rural hospitals. Regulatory barriers have also created uncertainty around telemedicine’s future.

For patients, Medicare, Medicaid, or insurance don’t always cover the cost of virtual care. In rural areas (where telehealth is especially helpful in plugging healthcare gaps), many people lack tech or broadband access.

The COVID-19 pilot
When the pandemic began, federal officials relaxed telemedicine rules. They waived certain Medicare requirements and allowed doctors to practice across state lines and virtually prescribe more medications.

Many states also expanded Medicaid telehealth coverage and relaxed licensing restrictions. Some required that private insurance plans cover and reimburse telemedicine as much as in-person visits.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Seema Verma is pleased with early results and wants the U.S. to continue expanding telemedicine access. But there are still some wrinkles to iron out, including...

Whether Medicare/Medicaid should pay out the same for virtual appointments
Expanding eligible services to include emergency care, physical therapy, and mental health
Bringing virtual care to home consults, hospices, and nursing homes
Easing licensing rules so telemedicine can cross state lines
Looking ahead...Verma said health officials are searching for ways to boost telemedicine. However, only Congress can permanently expand it to more patients and healthcare plans.