Quick Byte: Telemental health visits on the rise

Telemental health visits are on the rise.

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Researchers analyzed Medicare fee-for-service claims for the period 2004-2014 related to telemedicine used for mental health care, or “telemental health.” Their study population was rural beneficiaries with a diagnosis of any mental illness or serious mental illness. Over the years studied, the number of telemental health visits grew on average 45.1% annually.

In 2014, there were 5.3 and 11.8 telemental health visits per 100 rural beneficiaries with any mental illness or serious mental illness, respectively.