U.S. Telehealth Statistics
Current national figures on telehealth use, access, and care delivery. Each statistic links directly to the federal source behind it.
Last updated September 9, 2026
Virtual care is established, but it is not one-size-fits-all.
Telehealth can make a healthcare conversation easier to begin when distance, mobility, caregiving, or scheduling creates a barrier. The national data also makes an important point: use and suitability vary by person, circumstance, and type of care.
This page brings together reliable, quotable figures from federal health surveys. It is an informational resource, not medical advice. A qualified clinician can help determine whether virtual, in-person, urgent, or emergency care is the right next step.
Telehealth use and care-delivery statistics.
37.0%
of U.S. adults used telemedicine
This was the share of adults who reported a telemedicine appointment with a doctor, nurse, or other health professional in the prior 12 months.
Source: National Center for Health Statistics, National Health Interview Survey, 202143.3%
of adults age 65 and older used telemedicine
Use increased with age in the national survey, from 29.4% among adults ages 18 to 29 to 43.3% among adults age 65 and older.
Source: National Center for Health Statistics, National Health Interview Survey, 202142.0% / 31.7%
telemedicine use among women and men
Women reported telemedicine use more often than men in the prior 12 months.
Source: National Center for Health Statistics, National Health Interview Survey, 202143.2% / 28.7%
use among adults with college degrees and less than a high school education
The survey found a meaningful difference by education level, a reminder that access and comfort with care technology are not evenly shared.
Source: National Center for Health Statistics, National Health Interview Survey, 202176.7%
of primary care physicians reported similar-quality care to some or a great extent
This finding reflects physician views on telemedicine visits in 2021. It does not mean virtual care is appropriate for every medical concern.
Source: National Center for Health Statistics, National Electronic Health Records Survey, 202149.7%
of surgical specialists said telemedicine was not appropriate for their specialty or patients
The result shows why the right setting matters. Some concerns still need hands-on exams, testing, procedures, or immediate in-person care.
Source: National Center for Health Statistics, National Electronic Health Records Survey, 2021Convenience can open the door. Good care still starts with the right fit.
For some conversations, virtual care can remove a meaningful first barrier. For others, an in-person exam or a higher level of care is necessary. The most useful next step is the one that fits the concern, not simply the one that is easiest to arrange.
Redeemer Healthcare helps Veterans and families explore care options with more clarity, while keeping the limits of virtual care in view.
Explore Care ServicesHow to read and cite these figures.
The statistics above come from nationally representative federal surveys conducted in 2021. The adult-use figures are drawn from the National Health Interview Survey. The physician figures are drawn from the National Electronic Health Records Survey. The survey year is stated with every source because telehealth policy, access, and behavior can change over time.
- National Center for Health Statistics, National Health Interview Survey, 2021
- National Center for Health Statistics, National Electronic Health Records Survey, 2021
Redeemer Healthcare. “U.S. Telehealth Statistics.” Updated September 9, 2026. https://redeemerhealthcare.org/telehealth-statistics
For a direct link to a specific figure, use the heading link in your browser, such as 37.0% of U.S. adults used telemedicine.