Healthcare delivery is currently experiencing a major transformation, and new statistics show that telehealth is playing a key role in this shift. What started as a temporary solution during the pandemic has now become the preferred method of care for many Americans, fundamentally changing patient expectations and the future of medical practice. To gain deeper insights into this trend, we surveyed Americans across the country to gather their perspectives on remote care. 77% Say Telehealth is the Future of Healthcare An impressive 62% of Americans now utilize telehealth services for their medical needs, while more than three-quarters (77%) view it as the future of healthcare. Our study also showed that 53% of Americans now favor telehealth over conventional doctor visits, with a clear generational divide in adoption rates. Gen Z leads the telehealth charge at 60% preference, followed closely by Millennials and Gen X at 53%. Baby Boomers show more hesitation, with only 38% preferring virtual care – possibly reflecting discomfort with technology or stronger desires for face-to-face interaction. Telehealth Offered by Brick and Mortar Medical Offices One of the most telling signs of this shift is that more than one in ten Americans (11%) haven’t visited a medical practice in person over the past year. This move away from traditional healthcare facilities aligns with the growing adoption of telehealth services by providers across the country. Today, patients have the ability to access medical records, chat with their doctors, and have full-scale appointments from the comfort of their homes. Data shows that respondents’ personal doctors offer: Virtual appointments: 71% Portal communications: 41% Text messaging: 36% Remote monitoring: 23% Convenience is a Top Driver of Telehealth The convenience factor is clear, with 68% of patients preferring the flexibility of telehealth over traditional in-person appointments. But it’s more than a necessity in busy schedules – 68% of telehealth users are happier with it than traditional medical care. Their top-reported benefits include: In-home convenience Faster service/ease of scheduling Privacy Avoiding Face-to-Face Embarrassment While convenience is the primary benefit, there are also factors surrounding social interactions. Many simply prefer tech over talking, with 12% of Americans using telehealth to avoid small talk. Privacy is another concern – many feel awkward speaking to their doctors face-to-face. Nearly a quarter (24%) feel embarrassed when discussing personal issues with their doctor, and 1 in 4 use telehealth for privacy reasons. Do Telehealth Doctors Over-Prescribe to Patients? Another prominent factor in the rise of telehealth is prescription accessibility. Nearly 1 in 4 Americans (24%) have received a telehealth prescription that they wouldn’t have gotten from an in-person doctor, and 17% admit to turning to telehealth for prescriptions their doctor wouldn’t approve. Furthermore, over 1 in 10 (12%) say the likelihood of coming home with a prescription is a top preference in medical care. When surveying telehealth patients – the use cases are largely prescription based, including: Therapy/mental health (42%) One-off ailment (32%) Sexual health (30%) Birth control (29%) Weight loss prescription (24%) Subscription telehealth providers are capitalizing on the trend. In fact, some market themselves as providers of specific medications: the 2025 Super Bowl even featured a commercial for Hims & Hers’ providing semaglutide prescriptions for weight loss. Additionally, providers like Wisp and Ro advertise fast access to Zofran, UTI antibiotics, and hair growth medications. While a third of Americans (33%) have a paid subscription to telehealth providers, most still access telehealth through their personal doctors. Of those who use telehealth, the most popular providers include: Through their doctors (42%) Teladoc Health (23%) GoodRx (29%) BetterHelp (18%) Hims & Hers’ Health (12%) 54% Only Feel Comfortable with Their Own Doctor’s Telehealth Care While the convenience of telehealth is appealing, many are still concerned with the quality of care. A whopping 67% of Americans prefer working with a doctor to self-diagnosing symptoms, and 27% say warmth and bedside manner is a top preference in medical situations. Additionally, over half of telehealth patients (54%) only feel comfortable receiving remote care from their personal doctors and 24% have had a negative experience with telehealth in general. Top Telehealth Concerns Likely due to a lack of physical examinations, America’s top telehealth concern is a limited scope of care (52%). Next are misdiagnosis (51%), data privacy (46%), doctor legitimacy (42%), and impersonal care (33%). When it comes to those who have never used telehealth, their top reason is a preference for in-person interactions (65%). Additionally, nearly a third (30%) are simply unsure of what features are available to them, and 29% think it’s lower quality care than in-person appointments. Telehealth and Insurance Cost – and understanding of what’s covered – is another factor in choosing medical care. A resounding 84% would use telehealth more frequently if it were covered by insurance. Nearly 1 in 3 telehealth patients (32%) report they aren’t able to use insurance, and 34% of Americans are unsure if their insurance offers in-network telehealth options. Does the Convenience of Telehealth Outweigh Quality Concerns? For those who value human connection and thorough physical examinations, traditional in-person care remains essential. However, most Americans now prioritize convenience, making telehealth an increasingly popular choice. When comparing options, primary care physicians offering telehealth services are gaining an edge over subscription-based providers by delivering both convenience and personalized care from practitioners who know their medical history. While subscription telehealth services may struggle to compete with this hybrid model in general practice, they excel in specific scenarios—particularly when patients need quick, straightforward access to certain medications without the need for ongoing relationship-based care. Methodology In March 2025, we surveyed 997 Americans to learn about their telehealth usage and preferences. Ages ranged from 18 to 80 with an average age of 42. 50% were women, 49% were men, and 1% were non-binary or preferred not to say. For media inquiries, please contact media@digitalthirdcoast.net. Fair Use When using this data and research, please attribute by linking to this study and citing www.harmonyhit.com.