--- title: Telemedicine Debate Cuts A Wide Swath description: Discussing the popular topic of telemedicine. image: https://blog.bccresearch.com/hubfs/Blog_Images/telemedicine.jpg --- [![BCC Research Blog](https://blog.bccresearch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/bcc_blog-2022/blogs/BCC_Research_Blog.png?width=188&height=45&name=BCC_Research_Blog.png "BCC Research Blog")](https://www.bccresearch.com/) ** ![Telemedicine Debate Cuts A Wide Swath](https://blog.bccresearch.com/hubfs/Blog_Images/telemedicine.jpg "Telemedicine Debate Cuts A Wide Swath") # Telemedicine Debate Cuts A Wide Swath ![](https://blog.bccresearch.com/hubfs/bcc_blog-2022/blogs/author.svg) [ Laurie L. Sullivan](https://blog.bccresearch.com/author/laurie-l-sullivan) ![date](https://blog.bccresearch.com/hubfs/bcc_blog-2022/blogs/date.svg) Jun 14, 2016 [Blog](https://blog.bccresearch.com/) ** [Life Sciences](https://blog.bccresearch.com/topic/life-sciences) ** Telemedicine Debate Cuts A Wide Swath Telemedicine is booming, yet controversial. It’s receiving a significant boost in the healthcare industry as a result of the need for improved clinical outcomes. Patients who are monitored by telemedicine have shown better clinical outcomes due to a heightened awareness of their own readings. The [American Telemedicine Association](http://www.americantelemed.org) reported 1.25 million visits to direct-to-consumer providers in 2015. An increasing global focus on the use of telemedicine to reduce healthcare costs and improve patient outcomes is spurring huge growth in the telemedicine technologies market. Simply put, telemedicine is the use of telecommunications technology to deliver medical information or services to patients or other users located at a distance from the provider. In a new study, BCC Research finds that new US healthcare law will only intensify the focus on telemedicine, by increasing the number of people with health insurance who are seeking medical services. Major health insurers are expanding coverage to millions of Americans. Before healthcare coverage became so common, doctors had difficulty getting reimbursed for consultations over the telephone, let alone the Internet. Reimbursement of telemedicine varies by state and is sometimes seen as inadequate. Vendors including American Well, MDLive, and Teladoc (which has gone public) have been growing rapidly, thanks to health coverage from private insurers and employers. Many corporations are adding telemedicine to their benefit packages, as are some insurance companies. In the government-funded healthcare space, the VA and some state Medicare programs are beginning to use telemedicine. The global telemedicine market should reach $23.8 billion and $55.1 billion in 2016 and 2021, respectively, reflecting a five-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18.3%. The telemedicine market is segmented into telehospital/clinic and telehome markets. As a segment, telehospital/clinic totaled nearly $11.1 billion in 2015, while the telehome segment reached approximately $9 billion that year. The latter segment should grow at a projected CAGR of 24%, increasing its total market share from 45% in 2015 to 60% in 2021. **GLOBAL TELEHOME AND TELEHOSPITAL/CLINIC SERVICE MARKET, 2015-2021** ![hlc014h_summary.png](https://blog.bccresearch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog_Images/hlc014h_summary.png?width=431&name=hlc014h_summary.png) The telehome technology market, which was valued at more than $5.3 billion in 2015, should dominate the telemedicine technology market during the forecast period. Telehome technology is expected to grow from 63.5% of the telemedicine technology market in 2015 to 68.7% by 2021. Telehospital/clinic technology is expected to approach $7.5 billion by 2021, accounting for 31.3% of the market, with a CAGR of 17.3%. **THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION WEIGHS TELEMEDICINE ETHICS** The American Medical Association (AMA), which has been working on a way to advise physicians on how to deal with the rapid growth of telemedicine, is taking up ethical issues surrounding digital doctor–patient interactions. This week, the AMA’s House of Delegates will decide whether to adopt guidelines on “the ethical practice of telemedicine.” (See [*Forbes*](http://www.forbes.com/sites/brucejapsen/2016/06/09/ama-weighs-telemedicine-ethics-as-care-via-i-phone-proliferates/#341705eb45b5) article.) “Although physicians’ fundamental ethical responsibilities do not change, the continuum of possible patient–physician interactions in telehealth/telemedicine give rise to differing levels of accountability for physicians,” the AMA’s Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs wrote in a report that will be taken up by delegates. The AMA council says telehealth vendors should, among other things: - Inform users about the limitations of services provided - Advise users on how to arrange for follow-up care - Encourage users to inform their primary care doctor when they engage online with a telehealth provider. AMA delegates have tabled the telehealth ethical guidelines at two meetings over the last year, and there’s no guarantee they will become part of the group’s policy this time. So how does telehealth quality compare with care from traditional medical providers? There have been many studies and they do not all agree. [Austin Frakt of *The New York Times*](http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/17/upshot/you-mean-i-dont-have-to-show-up-the-promise-of-telemedicine.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&_r=2) surveyed the literature and concluded, on the whole, that telemedicine care quality is roughly equal to office visits.  A [systematic review published in 2015](http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD002098.pub2/abstract) found that patients with heart failure receiving telemedicine died at no higher rates than those not receiving it. Outcomes of care were the same for mental health, substance abuse, and dermatology patients who used telemedicine relative to those who did not. The review also found that telemedicine helped diabetics maintain better control of their blood sugar, and that it led to lower cholesterol and blood pressure. The argument remains, telemedicine is a pivotal technology to support e-healthcare and significantly reduce costs. “Telemedicine is key to e-healthcare,” says BCC Research analyst Andrew McWilliams. “A successful telemedicine network will be the most significant market differentiator for better clinical outcomes, reduced cost, and patient satisfaction.” [*Global Markets for Telemedicine Technologies*](http://www.bccresearch.com/market-research/healthcare/telemedicine-technologies-global-markets-report-hlc014h.html) assesses the impact of recent technical, economic, legal/regulatory, business, and other developments on the industry. It explores ways in which collaborative healthcare can be better and more economically implemented through telemedicine. The report examines hardware and software providers, telecom and networking companies, healthcare companies, and health insurance providers. Analyses of global market drivers and trends, with data from 2015, estimates for 2016, and projections of CAGRs through 2021, are provided. ### Stay ahead of industry trends, build your market research strategy and more. ## Recent Posts ![Sweet Intelligence: How AI is Transforming the $180 Billion Confectionery Ingredients Game](https://blog.bccresearch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/Modern%20Confectionery%20Lab%20with%20AI%20Tech%20and%20Colorful%20Samples.png?quality=low&width=150&height=100&name=Modern%20Confectionery%20Lab%20with%20AI%20Tech%20and%20Colorful%20Samples.png) #### [Sweet Intelligence: How AI is Transforming the $180 Billion Confectionery Ingredients Game 1 min. read | Featured, food-and-beverage, artificial intelligence technology](https://blog.bccresearch.com/how-ai-is-transforming-the-180-billion-confectionery-ingredients-game) ![AI Is Quietly Revolutionizing How We Make the Foam That's Everywhere](https://blog.bccresearch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/Foam%20Lab%20with%20Robotic%20Arm%20and%20Data%20Analytics.png?quality=low&width=150&height=100&name=Foam%20Lab%20with%20Robotic%20Arm%20and%20Data%20Analytics.png) #### [AI Is Quietly Revolutionizing How We Make the Foam That's Everywhere 1 min. read | Semiconductor](https://blog.bccresearch.com/ai-is-quietly-revolutionizing-how-we-make-the-foam-thats-everywhere) ![Medical Plastics Meets AI: The Manufacturing Revolution Healthcare Didn't See Coming](https://blog.bccresearch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/Futuristic%20Manufacturing%20Facility%20with%20Robotic%20Arm%20and%20Holographic%20Interfaces.png?quality=low&width=150&height=100&name=Futuristic%20Manufacturing%20Facility%20with%20Robotic%20Arm%20and%20Holographic%20Interfaces.png) #### [Medical Plastics Meets AI: The Manufacturing Revolution Healthcare Didn't See Coming 1 min. read | medical devices](https://blog.bccresearch.com/medical-plastics-meets-ai) ![The $1 Million Monthly Problem That AI Is Finally Solving in Clinical Trials](https://blog.bccresearch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/AIDriven%20Clinical%20Research%20Hub%20with%20Dynamic%20Data%20Visualization.png?quality=low&width=150&height=100&name=AIDriven%20Clinical%20Research%20Hub%20with%20Dynamic%20Data%20Visualization.png) #### [The $1 Million Monthly Problem That AI Is Finally Solving in Clinical Trials 1 min. read | Featured, healthcare](https://blog.bccresearch.com/the-1-million-monthly-problem-that-ai-is-finally-solving-in-clinical-trials) ![Laurie L. Sullivan](https://blog.bccresearch.com/hubfs/bcc_blog-2022/blogs/author.svg) ### Written By Laurie L. Sullivan ### Related Content [![Cloud Computing in Life Sciences: A $15.6 Billion Market Growing at 16.7% CAGR](https://blog.bccresearch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/cloud-computing-for-cell-biology.webp?quality=low&width=380&height=250&name=cloud-computing-for-cell-biology.webp) ](https://blog.bccresearch.com/cloud-computing-revolutionizing-life-sciences) [ 1 min. read | ](https://blog.bccresearch.com/cloud-computing-revolutionizing-life-sciences)[Life Sciences](https://blog.bccresearch.com/topic/life-sciences) , [biotechnology](https://blog.bccresearch.com/topic/biotechnology) #### [Cloud Computing in Life Sciences: A $15.6 Billion Market Growing at 16.7% CAGR](https://blog.bccresearch.com/cloud-computing-revolutionizing-life-sciences) Here's the problem: biology is generating data faster than anyone can analyze it... [Read more ![Read More](https://blog.bccresearch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/bcc_blog-2022/blogs/read_more_arrow.png?width=12&height=12&name=read_more_arrow.png) ](https://blog.bccresearch.com/cloud-computing-revolutionizing-life-sciences) [![Organ-on-a-Chip Market: Innovation, Investment, and Real-World Impact](https://blog.bccresearch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog_Images/semiconductor%20Chip.jpg?quality=low&width=380&height=250&name=semiconductor%20Chip.jpg) ](https://blog.bccresearch.com/organ-on-a-chip-market-innovation-investment-and-real-world-impact) [ 1 min. read | ](https://blog.bccresearch.com/organ-on-a-chip-market-innovation-investment-and-real-world-impact)[Life Sciences](https://blog.bccresearch.com/topic/life-sciences) #### [Organ-on-a-Chip Market: Innovation, Investment, and Real-World Impact](https://blog.bccresearch.com/organ-on-a-chip-market-innovation-investment-and-real-world-impact) In today’s fast-paced biomedical world, researchers and pharmaceutical companies... [Read more ![Read More](https://blog.bccresearch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/bcc_blog-2022/blogs/read_more_arrow.png?width=12&height=12&name=read_more_arrow.png) ](https://blog.bccresearch.com/organ-on-a-chip-market-innovation-investment-and-real-world-impact) [![Radiopharmaceuticals Market to Double by 2029 – Here’s Why](https://blog.bccresearch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog_Images/pharmacy-automation.jpg?quality=low&width=380&height=250&name=pharmacy-automation.jpg) ](https://blog.bccresearch.com/radiopharmaceuticals-market-to-double-by-2029-heres-why) [ 1 min. read | ](https://blog.bccresearch.com/radiopharmaceuticals-market-to-double-by-2029-heres-why)[Life Sciences](https://blog.bccresearch.com/topic/life-sciences) #### [Radiopharmaceuticals Market to Double by 2029 – Here’s Why](https://blog.bccresearch.com/radiopharmaceuticals-market-to-double-by-2029-heres-why) Radiopharmaceuticals represent a cutting-edge frontier in modern medicine, offer... [Read more ![Read More](https://blog.bccresearch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/bcc_blog-2022/blogs/read_more_arrow.png?width=12&height=12&name=read_more_arrow.png) ](https://blog.bccresearch.com/radiopharmaceuticals-market-to-double-by-2029-heres-why) ![Guiding smart decisions every step of the way](https://blog.bccresearch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog_Images/workaholic-hand-typing-keyboard-dark-late-night-with-computer.webp?width=1366&height=378&name=workaholic-hand-typing-keyboard-dark-late-night-with-computer.webp) ## Guiding smart decisions every step of the way We are your trusted research partner, providing actionable insights and custom consulting across life sciences, advanced materials, and technology. Allow BCC Research to nurture your smartest business decisions today, tomorrow, and beyond. [ Contact Us ](https://www.bccresearch.com/aboutus/contactus) BCC Research provides objective, unbiased measurement and assessment of market opportunities with detailed market research reports. Our experienced industry analysts assess growth opportunities, market sizing, technologies, applications, supply chains and companies with the singular goal of helping you make informed business decisions, free of noise and hype. ### Stay Informed #### Contact - [**781-489-7301](tel:7814897301) - [**info@bccresearch.com](mailto:info@bccresearch.com) © 2023 BCC Research [Privacy Policy](http://www.bccresearch.com/privacypolicy) |[Site Map](http://www.bccresearch.com/sitemap) #### Connect With Us [![BCC Research](https://blog.bccresearch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/BCCResearch%20-Feb2017/icon-linkedin-ftr.png?width=36&height=36&name=icon-linkedin-ftr.png) ](http://www.linkedin.com/company/bccresearch) [![BCC Research](https://blog.bccresearch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/BCCResearch%20-Feb2017/icon-email-ftr.png?width=36&height=36&name=icon-email-ftr.png) ](mailto:info@bccresearch.com) [![BCC Research](https://blog.bccresearch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/BCCResearch%20-Feb2017/icon-twitter-ftr.png?width=36&height=36&name=icon-twitter-ftr.png) ](https://twitter.com/bccresearch) [![BCC Research](https://blog.bccresearch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/bcc_blog-2022/blogs/youtube.png?width=36&height=36&name=youtube.png) ](https://www.youtube.com/user/bccresearch) ![money back guarantee](https://blog.bccresearch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/bcc_blog-2022/blogs/money-back.png?width=60&height=60&name=money-back.png) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Laurie L. Sullivan", "url" : "https://blog.bccresearch.com/author/laurie-l-sullivan" }, "dateModified" : "2019-05-29T12:44:40.903Z", "datePublished" : "2016-06-14T13:00:54.000Z", "headline" : "Telemedicine Debate Cuts A Wide Swath", "image" : [ "https://blog.bccresearch.com/hubfs/Blog_Images/telemedicine.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.bccresearch.com/telemedicine-debate-cuts-a-wide-swath", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.bccresearch.com/hubfs/Logos/BCC-Logo-PSD-REMOVED-WHITE-BCC.png" }, "name" : "BCC Research LLC" } } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "VideoObject", "caption" : { "@type" : "MediaObject", "contentUrl" : "https://blog.bccresearch.com/media-transcripts/190351134768/en.vtt", "inLanguage" : "en", "name" : "en Captions" }, "contentUrl" : "https://stream.mux.com/QWHpadxB8VTax9W7MBYkTYzmqrb9PVSj49Gb2rZI2uo/capped-1080p.mp4", "dateModified" : "2026-03-26T22:01:25.349Z", "duration" : "PT1M53.334S", "height" : 1080, "name" : "Radiopharmaceuticals_Market_Growth_Forec", "thumbnailUrl" : "https://api-na1.hubspot.com/filemanager/api/v3/files/thumbnail-redirect/190351134768?portalId=308401&size=medium", "uploadDate" : "2025-05-20T05:21:14.069Z", "width" : 1920 } ```