Telehealth has reshaped the medical sector. Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic, platforms enabling remote access to healthcare services have skyrocketed, and they’re likely not going away any time soon. The telemedicine market was worth almost $72 billion in 2022, and experts predict it will surpass $244 billion by 2032. What does all this growth mean for patients and providers involved in the medical field? While some factors are uncertain, you can expect five telehealth trends in 2025 and beyond. 1. Increased AI Integration Like many sectors, telehealth will see several changes from artificial intelligence (AI) in the coming years. The medical industry in general will benefit from AI integration, but the efficiency-focused and data-driven field of telemedicine is particularly prone to disruption. Virtual nursing assistants are one of the biggest areas of growth, predicted to account for 26.4% of all revenue within the AI of the telehealth market. These advanced chatbots can talk to patients about their symptoms before connecting them to a human doctor, ensuring everyone gets immediate help around the clock. Some may also make notes for doctors to review for faster, more accurate diagnoses. Other companies may use AI to monitor patient data for insight into developing conditions. Such analysis would expand personalized care, which typically leads to better health outcomes. While medical AI still has a long way to go before it reaches its full potential, 2025 could see significant progress in this field. 2. Greater Support for Wearables Wearables and accompanying telemedicine apps are expected to take several steps forward in 2025. Telehealth and wearables pair together naturally, as the latter provides real-time data to improve the former’s offerings. This market may be on the verge of significant expansion thanks to recent breakthroughs. In May 2024, the Apple Watch became the first digital device to gain FDA clearance as a Medical Device Development Tool (MDDT). Organizations can use MDDTs in clinical trials. Now that a consumer-grade device meets this standard, telehealth and related wearables could play a key role in ongoing research. Apple receiving FDA approval further cements wearables’ usefulness as medical devices, making advanced telemedicine services more accessible. 3. Legal Challenges to Expanded Coverage While some areas of telehealth have a bright future in the next year, others face rising uncertainty. Several pre-pandemic Medicare limitations will take effect again in 2025, making telemedicine coverage less accessible for some patients. Most notably, Medicare will no longer cover telehealth services outside of rural areas or zones with a shortage of health professionals. Thankfully, these patients — who often need telemedicine the most — will retain coverage. For others, many of whom prefer virtual care even when in-person visits are possible, the regulatory change may limit their options. Mental health care has no geographic limits, and private insurers may still offer support, but these restrictions may hinder the explosive growth telehealth platforms have enjoyed over the past few years. 4. Continued Growth for Telepharmacy Applications As coverage for general telehealth applications wanes, telepharmacy support is expanding. Telepharmacy deals with remotely prescribing and distributing medication. This small but significant part of the industry will reach new heights in 2025. In November 2024, the Drug Enforcement Administration expanded current telepharmacy flexibilities, allowing doctors to digitally prescribe controlled substances through December 31, 2025. It’s the third consecutive year of such extensions, painting a promising future for remote pharmaceutical systems. Many people need prescription medications, but fewer can access or feel comfortable going to a pharmacy. Expanding the ability for providers to use telecommunications apps for this purpose means more patients could easily obtain their supplies. The shift particularly benefits fast-growing medication segments like GLP-1 weight loss treatments. 5. Growing Emphasis on Privacy and Security Finally, the telehealth sector will renew its emphasis on cybersecurity and data privacy. 2024 was a challenging year for healthcare security, peaking with the Change Healthcare ransomware attack in February, which directly impacted thousands of patients in the U.S. After such a massive incident, standards will likely rise for digital health platforms. Whether new legislation tightens cybersecurity controls is unclear, as legal changes take time. However, social and investor pressure to secure telehealth platforms will almost certainly rise. Telemedicine companies can differentiate themselves in 2025 and beyond by citing advanced cybersecurity controls. As more businesses pursue this, defense standards across the industry will heighten. Telehealth Faces Significant Changes in 2025 and Beyond The coming year has much in store for telehealth providers and patients. Many of these changes are beneficial. Others will prove challenging. Regardless of the outcome, one thing is certain — telemedicine tomorrow will look different than today. Both challenges and opportunities present chances for the telehealth sector to mature. As companies navigate changing shifts in 2025, they could take healthcare to new heights. Telehealth has reshaped the medical sector. Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic, platforms enabling remote access to healthcare services have skyrocketed, and they’re likely not going away any time soon. Telehealth has reshaped the medical sector. Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic, platforms enabling remote access to healthcare services have skyrocketed, and they’re likely not going away any time soon. The telemedicine market was worth almost $72 billion in 2022 , and experts predict it will surpass $244 billion by 2032. What does all this growth mean for patients and providers involved in the medical field? While some factors are uncertain, you can expect five telehealth trends in 2025 and beyond. $72 billion in 2022 $72 billion in 2022 1. Increased AI Integration Like many sectors, telehealth will see several changes from artificial intelligence (AI) in the coming years. The medical industry in general will benefit from AI integration, but the efficiency-focused and data-driven field of telemedicine is particularly prone to disruption. Virtual nursing assistants are one of the biggest areas of growth, predicted to account for 26.4% of all revenue within the AI of the telehealth market. These advanced chatbots can talk to patients about their symptoms before connecting them to a human doctor, ensuring everyone gets immediate help around the clock. Some may also make notes for doctors to review for faster, more accurate diagnoses. 26.4% of all revenue 26.4% of all revenue Other companies may use AI to monitor patient data for insight into developing conditions. Such analysis would expand personalized care, which typically leads to better health outcomes. While medical AI still has a long way to go before it reaches its full potential, 2025 could see significant progress in this field. 2. Greater Support for Wearables Greater Support for Wearables Wearables and accompanying telemedicine apps are expected to take several steps forward in 2025. Telehealth and wearables pair together naturally, as the latter provides real-time data to improve the former’s offerings. This market may be on the verge of significant expansion thanks to recent breakthroughs. In May 2024, the Apple Watch became the first digital device to gain FDA clearance as a Medical Device Development Tool (MDDT). the first digital device the first digital device Organizations can use MDDTs in clinical trials. Now that a consumer-grade device meets this standard, telehealth and related wearables could play a key role in ongoing research. Apple receiving FDA approval further cements wearables’ usefulness as medical devices, making advanced telemedicine services more accessible. 3. Legal Challenges to Expanded Coverage While some areas of telehealth have a bright future in the next year, others face rising uncertainty. Several pre-pandemic Medicare limitations will take effect again in 2025 , making telemedicine coverage less accessible for some patients. will take effect again in 2025 will take effect again in 2025 Most notably, Medicare will no longer cover telehealth services outside of rural areas or zones with a shortage of health professionals. Thankfully, these patients — who often need telemedicine the most — will retain coverage. For others, many of whom prefer virtual care even when in-person visits are possible, the regulatory change may limit their options. many of whom prefer virtual care many of whom prefer virtual care Mental health care has no geographic limits, and private insurers may still offer support, but these restrictions may hinder the explosive growth telehealth platforms have enjoyed over the past few years. 4. Continued Growth for Telepharmacy Applications Continued Growth for Telepharmacy Applications As coverage for general telehealth applications wanes, telepharmacy support is expanding. Telepharmacy deals with remotely prescribing and distributing medication. This small but significant part of the industry will reach new heights in 2025. In November 2024, the Drug Enforcement Administration expanded current telepharmacy flexibilities , allowing doctors to digitally prescribe controlled substances through December 31, 2025. It’s the third consecutive year of such extensions, painting a promising future for remote pharmaceutical systems. expanded current telepharmacy flexibilities expanded current telepharmacy flexibilities Many people need prescription medications, but fewer can access or feel comfortable going to a pharmacy. Expanding the ability for providers to use telecommunications apps for this purpose means more patients could easily obtain their supplies. The shift particularly benefits fast-growing medication segments like GLP-1 weight loss treatments. 5. Growing Emphasis on Privacy and Security Finally, the telehealth sector will renew its emphasis on cybersecurity and data privacy. 2024 was a challenging year for healthcare security, peaking with the Change Healthcare ransomware attack in February, which directly impacted thousands of patients in the U.S. After such a massive incident, standards will likely rise for digital health platforms. directly impacted thousands of patients directly impacted thousands of patients Whether new legislation tightens cybersecurity controls is unclear, as legal changes take time. However, social and investor pressure to secure telehealth platforms will almost certainly rise. Telemedicine companies can differentiate themselves in 2025 and beyond by citing advanced cybersecurity controls. As more businesses pursue this, defense standards across the industry will heighten. Telehealth Faces Significant Changes in 2025 and Beyond The coming year has much in store for telehealth providers and patients. Many of these changes are beneficial. Others will prove challenging. Regardless of the outcome, one thing is certain — telemedicine tomorrow will look different than today. Both challenges and opportunities present chances for the telehealth sector to mature. As companies navigate changing shifts in 2025, they could take healthcare to new heights.

The is an opinion piece based on the author’s POV and does not necessarily reflect the views of HackerNoon.

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