The Center for Improving Value in Health Care (CIVHC) recently released its sixth update to the Telehealth Services Utilization Analysis, which now includes data from 2019 through 2023. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of telehealth services, reshaping health care delivery in Colorado. Using claims data from the Colorado All Payer Claims Database (CO APCD), the Telehealth Services Analysis provides critical insights into this transformation. The data highlights use of telehealth pre and post pandemic, and shows that nearly five years after the onset of COVID-19, telehealth remains a vital source of care for people accessing mental and behavioral health services.
The Center for Improving Value in Health Care (CIVHC) recently released its sixth update to the Telehealth Services Utilization Analysis, which now includes data from 2019 through 2023. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of telehealth services, reshaping health care delivery in Colorado. Using claims data from the Colorado All Payer Claims Database (CO APCD), the Telehealth Services Analysis provides critical insights into this transformation. The data highlights use of telehealth pre and post pandemic, and shows that nearly five years after the onset of COVID-19, telehealth remains a vital source of care for people accessing mental and behavioral health services.
In March 2021, nearly half of all telehealth visits focused on mental health services. By 2023, this proportion decreased to 40%, though these visits still accounted for 58% of all diagnoses. Telehealth remains crucial for providing timely, accessible mental health care, particularly for individuals in rural or underserved areas. By reducing barriers like provider shortages, travel time, and stigma, it enables people to connect with professionals from home, ensuring continuity of care for conditions like anxiety and depression. Its flexibility and convenience make telehealth an integral part of the mental health care system.
In 2023, generalized anxiety disorder was the most common mental health diagnosis, making up 18% of all cases, followed by major depressive disorders at 9%. Post-traumatic stress disorder accounted for 6% of diagnoses, while adjustment disorder and anxiety disorder each represented 5%.
Telehealth utilization in 2023 revealed notable geographic differences between rural and urban areas. In rural communities, Medicaid-insured patients accounted for the largest share of telehealth visits (40%), whereas in urban areas, commercially insured patients dominated, comprising 42% of total visits. People living in urban counties utilized the vast majority of telehealth services, resulting in 92% of all visits statewide. Despite these differences, mental health conditions emerged as the leading diagnosis in both rural (83%) and urban (86%) settings, followed by endocrine and nutritional conditions, which accounted for 9% and 8% of diagnoses in rural and urban areas, respectively.
Additional Resources:
- Telehealth Services Analysis Infographic
- Telehealth Services Analysis Methodology
- Access the Data File
For more information or additional questions, contact us at info@civhc.org .