POSB242 Telemedicine Use During Year 2020 of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Older US Medicare Beneficiaries

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to assess telemedicine utilization patterns offered by health providers and used by older Medicare beneficiaries during the coronavirus pandemic.

Methods: The Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS) supplemental COVID-19 survey -for Fall 2020 was used to identify Medicare beneficiaries (≥ 65 years) with a regular place for medical care and offered telemedicine during the pandemic. Major outcomes: prevalence for whether telemedicine was offered before and during the pandemic, telemedicine use, and digital access to telemedicine. Demographic factors associated with telemedicine use were identified using logistic regression.

Results: The study sample included 4380 eligible older individuals (weighted sample: approximates 26.8 million US Medicare beneficiaries (≥ 65 years). Of those 42.9% made telemedicine visits during the pandemic. Approximately 60% of the telemedicine visits were made via telephone call only. Telemedicine was offered to 18% of Medicare beneficiaries before the pandemic vs. 64% during year 2020 of the pandemic. Both voice and video calls were offered to 45% of the respondents before the pandemic vs. 60.2% during the pandemic. Among telemedicine users, 57.2%, 28.3%, and 14.5% used voice calls, video calls, and both voice and video calls for appointments, respectively. Variations in overall telemedicine use were observed by sex, race, region. Beneficiaries with chronic condition numbering 2 to 3 or ≥ 4 were 38% or 119% more likely to use telemedicine. Individuals 65-74 years, female, in a metropolitan area, with higher income were more likely to make video visits. Experience of telecommunication via internet influenced telemedicine use significantly.

Conclusions: Telemedicine offered to older Medicare beneficiaries increased dramatically during the coronavirus pandemic. Less than half of the beneficiaries made telemedicine visits. Demographic disparities were different in overall telemedicine use and type of telemedicine use.