Following are summaries of peer-reviewed research, evaluations, and reports on telehealth programs for people with complex needs. Overall, the evidence suggests that telehealth interventions are comparable to in-person visits for a wide range of conditions. Additionally, there is extensive evidence on the effectiveness of telehealth to address behavioral health conditions. Telehealth usage varies by demographic variables such as age, geography, and race and ethnicity, and additional research is needed to fully understand telehealth’s impact on different populations.
Telehealth Use and Health Equity for Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review
Rural, older adult, and Black populations are less likely to use telehealth for behavioral health services. More research is needed to fully understand telehealth’s impact on health equity.
Retention in Telehealth Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder Among Rural Populations: A Retrospective Cohort Study
A telehealth-delivered opioid use disorder treatment program is associated with promising levels of care retention and medication adherence among rural populations.
Telehealth Outcomes and Impact on Care Delivery: A Review of Evidence
Report summarizes the evidence on outcomes for patients participating in various telehealth delivered services, including different modalities, such as telephone and video.
Assessing the Impact of Medicaid Telehealth Policy Change on Equitable Access to Telehealth Services in North Carolina
Evaluation of North Carolina’s updated Medicaid telehealth policies demonstrate that strategies are needed to address racial disparities in telehealth use and promote more equitable access.
Pandemic Telehealth Flexibilities for Buprenorphine Treatment: A Synthesis of Evidence and Policy Implications for Expanding Opioid Use Disorder Care in the United States
Telehealth for buprenorphine treatment is associated with improved patient and provider satisfaction of care.
An Evaluation of a Care Coaching and Provider Referral Intervention for Behavioral Health Needs
A health-plan-administered telehealth care coaching intervention led to long-term cost savings as well as increased behavioral health service use for adults with behavioral health needs and a history of high utilization.
The Impact of a Primary Care Telepsychiatry Program on Outcomes of Managed Care Older Adults
A health plan-led telepsychiatry program for older adults can address the shortage of psychiatrists to improve outcomes related to depression and access to mental health care.
A Telehealth Inpatient Addiction Consult Service is Both Feasible and Effective in Reducing Readmission Rates
A telehealth addiction consult service program for hospitalized patients with substance use disorders is as effective as in-person consults.
Gap in Willingness and Access to Video Visit Use Among Older High-Risk Veterans: Cross-Sectional Study
With the steep increase in use of telehealth and video visits in the last few years, the reliance on technology-enabled medicine may heighten disparities in health care access.
Effects of a Nursing Home Telehealth Program on Spending and Utilization for Medicare Residents
A nursing home telehealth program resulted in reduced emergency department visits and health care expenditures for Medicare beneficiaries.
Telehealth for the Treatment of Serious Mental Illness and Substance Use Disorders
This guide offers resources to improve telehealth interventions for individuals at risk for, experiencing, or recovering from serious mental illness and/or substance use disorder.
The Current State of Telehealth Evidence: A Rapid Review
Telehealth interventions had similar outcomes to in-person care for different services and populations, but did not consistently impact utilization such as physician or emergency department visits.
