After Initial Climb, Use of Telemedicine Declined With Reopening Efforts

Telemedicine use tracked closely with emergency rules and state reopening efforts, according to a report by the Texas Division of Workers’ Compensation. “Telemedicine utilization was low until March 2020, when the pandemic hit,” a snapshot of the report reads. “Utilization increased again as the DWC emergency rule TWC Section 167.1 took effect in April 2020, to expand access to telerehabilition services, but then declined rapidly as Texas began reopening efforts.” The DWC’s 2021 telemedicine report shows low use of telehealth services from fall 2...