The Effect of Telehealth Insurance Mandates on Healthcare Utilization and Outcomes

Abstract

This paper uses panel data techniques to investigate the impact of state mandates to cover telehealth services on private insurance premiums and enrollment, healthcare utilization, and health outcomes. There is evidence that telehealth insurance mandates are associated with an increase in primary care, but no significant changes in overall health outcomes. However, there is evidence of a reduction of secondary care and improvement in health outcomes in non-metropolitan areas. The results provide useful information regarding the potential of telehealth to reduce healthcare costs as well as to reduce disparities in access to health care and in health outcomes.

Keywords: telehealth insurance mandates; hospital utilization; health outcomes

JEL Classification: I13; I18