business.com receives compensation from some of the companies listed on this page. Advertising Disclosure

Home

How to Start a Telehealth Business

John Riddle
John Riddle
business.com Contributing Writer
Updated Jul 09, 2020

The market and demand will only grow, but will the rules prove too difficult to overcome?

Between the "graying of America," the busy schedules of families these days, and the sudden pivot to virtual healthcare during the coronavirus pandemic, the telemedicine industry has surged.

Telemedicine connects patients with healthcare providers using secure telecommunications technology. Physicians are able to diagnose, treat and monitor patients remotely. An estimated 7 million people used telehealth services in 2018. Telehealth is projected to be a $266.8 billion by 2026, according to market research firm Fortune Business Insights.

If you're interested in starting a business in the growing telemedicine industry, this guide will help you get started.

Telehealth as an industry

You may be surprised to learn that telemedicine has been around for more than 40 years. Prior to the spread of COVID-19 in the United States, telemedicine granted people living in rural communities improved access to primary care physicians, specialists, and mental health professionals. 

The American Telemedicine Association (ATA) estimates that there are about 200 telemedicine networks currently in operation. More than half of all the hospitals in the country now use some form of telemedicine services, and the Veterans Health Administration is using digital health services to reach more than a half a million vets each year. 

At the present time, 34 states and the District of Columbia require that private insurers cover telehealth consultations the same as they would cover in-person services (though rules may be different for mental health service versus primary care or internal medicine).

 

Editor's note: Looking for the right telemedicine software for your business? Fill out the below questionnaire to have our vendor partners contact you about your needs.

Image Credit: Slonme / Getty
John Riddle
John Riddle
business.com Contributing Writer
John Riddle is the author of 34 books, including six business titles, and has worked as a ghostwriter on numerous projects. His byline has appeared in major publications all across the U.S., and he has written articles for over 200 websites. Since 1996, he has been working out of his home office in Delaware as a full-time freelance writer, author and ghostwriter.