Predictors of Audio-Only Versus Video Telehealth Visits During the COVID-19 Pandemic

• DOI: 10.1007/s11606-021-07172-y
• Publication Date: 2021-11-17T19:02:43Z
• Authors: Julia Chen; Kathleen Y. Li; Juan Andino; Chloe E. Hill; Sophia Ng; Emma Steppe; Chad Ellimoottil
• Keywords: Telehealth; Pandemic

Most health insurance organizations reimbursed both video and audio-only (i.e., phone) visits during the COVID-19 pandemic, but may discontinue phone visit coverage after pandemic. The impact of discontinuing on various patient subgroups is uncertain. Identify that are more probable to access telehealth through versus video. Retrospective cohort. All patients at a U.S. academic medical center who had an outpatient was eligible for from April June 2020. marginal cumulative effect demographic, socioeconomic, geographic characteristics probability using visits. A total 104,204 least one 45.4% received care only. Patient associated with lower included age (average [AME] −6.9% every 10 years increase, 95%CI −7.8, −4.5), African-American (AME −10.2%, −11.4, −7.6), need interpreter −19.3%, −21.8, −14.4), Medicaid as primary −12.1%, −13.7, −9.0), live in zip code low broadband −7.2%, −8.1, −4.8). than factor which further reduced their Patients older, African-American, require interpreter, use Medicaid, areas less likely compared phone. Post-pandemic policies eliminate decrease have or these characteristics.