Telehealth has emerged as a cornerstone of modern healthcare, providing unprecedented access and flexibility to patients and providers alike. Its journey from a niche solution to a mainstream necessity has been transformative, reshaping how care is delivered, accessed, and reimbursed.
As we navigate 2025, telehealth continues to evolve, driven by advances in technology, new CPT codes, and regulatory updates. While its benefits are undeniable—enhanced access, streamlined workflows, and better patient outcomes—it also presents challenges, such as reimbursement complexities, privacy concerns, and balancing human connection with technological convenience.
This whitepaper explores the evolution, current state, and future of telehealth, with a focus on patient-to-patient engagement, doctor-to-doctor consultations, and the financial and operational implications for healthcare practices.
The History of Telehealth
Telehealth traces its roots to the 1960s when NASA used remote monitoring technologies to track astronauts' health. Over the following decades, telehealth slowly expanded, primarily in rural and underserved areas. However, its adoption was limited by technological barriers, regulatory restrictions, and resistance from both patients and providers.
The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 served as a tipping point. Lockdowns and social distancing made in-person visits challenging, forcing healthcare systems to adopt telehealth on an unprecedented scale. Patients, once hesitant to embrace virtual care, quickly adapted, and providers began to see its potential for efficiency and improved outcomes.
Key milestones include:
- Pre-Pandemic: Limited adoption due to technology gaps and reimbursement challenges.
- Pandemic Era: Rapid deployment and acceptance of telehealth as a necessity.
- Post-Pandemic: A shift toward hybrid care models combining in-person and virtual visits.
The lessons learned during the pandemic have set the stage for telehealth to become a permanent fixture in healthcare.
The Telehealth Revolution: A Snapshot
Market Growth
The global telehealth market, valued at $142.64 billion in 2023, is projected to reach $791.04 billion by 2032, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 22%. North America, with a 46.13% market share in 2023, remains at the forefront of this growth.
New CPT Codes for 2025
The American Medical Association (AMA) introduced 17 new Evaluation and Management (E/M) codes (98000-98016) to improve billing precision. Highlights include:
- New audio-only consultation codes for both new and established patients. Check with each payer before using to be sure they will reimburse for these codes.
- Replacement of outdated codes to streamline reimbursement processes.
Why Telehealth Matters
Enhanced Patient Engagement
- Telehealth offers unparalleled convenience, allowing patients to schedule visits at their convenience, increasing adherence to treatment plans.
- Research shows telehealth reduces hospitalizations by 50–110 cases per 1,000 patients annually and decreases all-cause hospital days by an average of 1.07 days per patient.
Provider Efficiency
- Virtual check-ins, digital E/M services, and teleconsultations streamline workflows and reduce administrative burdens.
- Providers can focus more on patient care, minimizing burnout and improving job satisfaction.
Expanded Access to Care
- Telehealth bridges gaps in underserved and rural communities, ensuring equitable access to healthcare.
- Permanent coverage for audio-only visits expands options for patients without reliable internet access.
Patient-to-Patient Telehealth: The Growing Trend
Patient-to-patient telehealth platforms connect individuals with similar conditions, fostering peer support and shared learning.
- Benefits: Emotional support, improved understanding of treatment options, and greater confidence in managing chronic conditions.
- Challenges: Ensuring privacy, avoiding misinformation, and monitoring the quality of shared advice.
These platforms are an emerging facet of telehealth, complementing traditional provider-led care.
Doctor-to-Doctor Consultations: A Financial and Operational Imperative
Collaboration among providers is critical for effective care delivery. Telehealth facilitates doctor-to-doctor consultations, enabling:
- Second Opinions: Expertise from specialists in real time.
- Multidisciplinary Discussions: Seamless communication for complex cases.
- Efficient Diagnosis Management: Faster decision-making and improved outcomes.
Best Practices for Billing and Documentation
- Use the Right Codes: For podiatrists, CPT codes 99221-99223 and telehealth-specific codes 99202-99215 ensure proper reimbursement.
- Document Thoroughly: Include patient history, referring physician details, and recommendations.
- Stay Compliant: Adhere to CMS guidelines and avoid practices that could violate the Anti-Kickback Statute.
The Future of Telehealth: Opportunities and Challenges
Opportunities
- Integration with AI:
AI-driven tools, like Seagreen’s real-time SOAP note creation, enhance efficiency and accuracy.
- Expanded Access:
CMS’s permanent inclusion of audio-only services ensures broader patient reach.
- Improved Outcomes:
Digital tools support chronic disease management and preventive care.
Challenges
- Reimbursement Complexity:
Navigating payer policies and billing systems remains a hurdle for many practices.
- Patient Privacy:
Protecting sensitive data while leveraging digital platforms is critical.
- Equity:
Bridging the digital divide ensures all populations benefit from telehealth advancements.
Spotlight: Seagreen
Seagreen exemplifies the transformative potential of telehealth. This innovative platform empowers practices with:
- HIPAA-Compliant Communication: Protect patient data while streamlining doctor-to-patient interactions, as well as doctor-to-doctor communication with audio and video for both iOS and Android phones, for telehealth visits.
- Seamless Integration: SOAP note creation and EHR integration simplify workflows and billing.
- Centralized Data Management: Consolidate patient information, clinical photos, and communication in one platform on the provider’s phone.
- Enhanced Patient Engagement: Patients feel valued through easy-to-use telehealth tools.
Seagreen also offers a 90-day free trial, allowing practices to experience its benefits firsthand.
Conclusion
Telehealth is not just a tool but a transformative approach to healthcare delivery. Its evolution from NASA’s remote monitoring systems to a pandemic-era necessity highlights its resilience and potential. As we move into 2025, telehealth offers unprecedented opportunities to enhance patient care, improve provider collaboration, and streamline operations.
However, success requires strategic planning, technological adoption, and adherence to regulatory standards. Platforms like Seagree are leading the way, helping practices navigate the complexities and reap the benefits of this revolution.
Contact us today to learn how Seagreen can support your telehealth journey.
Sources:
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
- Fierce Healthcare
- American Medical Association (AMA)
