Overview

• A study published in the American Journal of Managed Care quantifies the environmental benefits of telemedicine during April–June 2023, estimating significant reductions in carbon emissions.
• Telehealth usage during the study period substituted between 741,000 and 1.35 million in-person visits, cutting CO2 emissions by 23,500 to 52,500 tons monthly.
• The U.S. healthcare system accounts for approximately 9% of national emissions, with transportation comprising 29%, highlighting the sector's potential for sustainability improvements.
• Researchers caution that declining telehealth use post-pandemic and limitations in data representativeness may impact future emission reduction estimates.
• Congress is currently evaluating whether to extend COVID-era telehealth waivers, with the study's findings providing critical evidence for policymakers on telemedicine's environmental impact.