Story perspectives

Telemedicine Fails to Enhance Rural Mental Health Access

3/6/2026

Summary

Story summary

A study in JAMA Network Open found telemedicine did not improve access to mental health care for rural Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Researchers analyzed Medicare billing records from 17,000 mental health specialists from 2018 to 2023.
Telemedicine led to only a slight rural increase, as primarily existing patients maintained ties with urban doctors, and administrative burdens hinder access.
Specialists using virtual visits saw a 3.6% decrease in new patients.

1 of 1

Story summary

A study in JAMA Network Open found telemedicine did not improve access to mental health care for rural Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Researchers analyzed Medicare billing records from 17,000 mental health specialists from 2018 to 2023.
Telemedicine led to only a slight rural increase, as primarily existing patients maintained ties with urban doctors, and administrative burdens hinder access.
Specialists using virtual visits saw a 3.6% decrease in new patients.