Telehealth and digital health are transforming healthcare, offering unprecedented opportunities to expand access, improve outcomes, and lower costs. However, outdated regulations and a complex policy landscape are hindering innovation and preventing these technologies from reaching their full potential for all who could benefit.
The Center for Telehealth and e-Health Law (CTeL) is a leading non-profit research institute dedicated to navigating and shaping the legal and regulatory environment for digital health. For nearly three decades, CTeL has been at the forefront of evidence-based research and advocacy, working to remove barriers and champion policies that promote equitable, high-quality tech-enabled care.
Your donation to CTeL will directly fuel critical research to support policies that:
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Expand Access to Care: Even after the pandemic surge, telehealth utilization remains significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels. In the last quarter of 2023, over 12.6% of Medicare beneficiaries received a telehealth service (American Hospital Association, 2025). Telehealth is crucial for reaching underserved populations. A 2021 report noted that 37% of adults had utilized telemedicine services within the preceding year, highlighting its growing acceptance (Mastermind Behavior Services, 2025). Studies show that telehealth can significantly increase access to care, particularly for behavioral health and chronic conditions, addressing provider shortages in many areas.
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Drive Health Innovation: The digital health market is experiencing rapid growth, projected to reach $258.3 billion by 2029 (Northeastern University, 2024). Physicians are increasingly adopting digital health tools, with the percentage of physicians who feel digital health tools are an advantage for patient care growing from 85% in 2016 to 93% in 2022 (American Medical Association, 2022). Policies that support the integration of technologies like remote monitoring and AI are essential to realizing their potential for improved patient outcomes and efficient care delivery.
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Ensure Cost-Effectiveness: Research indicates that telehealth can generate significant cost savings. One study found that telehealth was associated with a reduction in costs ranging from $445,000 to $33 million for Medicare and $155,000–$181 million for Medicaid in analyzed states. Only a small percentage of telehealth appointments result in the need for an in-person follow-up, demonstrating its effectiveness as a substitute for in-person care in many cases (9 statistics about telemedicine, 2023).
Despite the clear benefits, significant policy barriers persist:
Lack of permanent Medicare telehealth flexibilities creates uncertainty for providers and patients. Variations in state licensure laws hinder the ability of providers to offer care across state lines. Insufficient and inconsistent reimbursement policies make it challenging for many providers to sustain telehealth services, particularly in rural and underserved areas. For instance, insufficient insurance reimbursement was reported as a barrier by over half of physicians in one study (Weigel et al., 2025). Concerns around patient access to technology and digital literacy remain a barrier for some populations; 77.6% of physicians in a study reported lack of patient access to technology as a top barrier (Weigel et al., 2025).
CTeL is uniquely positioned to address these challenges through rigorous, impartial research and active engagement with policymakers. Our work provides the evidence needed to inform sound policy decisions that promote innovation while safeguarding patient safety and health equity.
Your contribution, no matter the size, will make a tangible difference in our ability to:
- Conduct in-depth research on the legal, regulatory, and economic impact of telehealth and digital health.
- Develop policy recommendations that support the expansion of access and the adoption of innovative technologies.
- Educate policymakers, healthcare providers, and the public on the benefits and challenges of the evolving digital health landscape.
- Advocate for policies that create a clear and supportive environment for the future of healthcare delivery.
Join us in building a policy framework that unlocks the full potential of telehealth and digital health for a healthier future.
Donate today to support CTeL's vital research and advocacy.
Thank you for your generosity and commitment to advancing health innovation and delivery of care through smart policy.
