Technology Is Evolving—So Are Expectations

Today’s virtual care goes far beyond video visits. Ambient clinical intelligence is helping reduce documentation burdens. Remote diagnostics are enabling earlier intervention. And emerging tools like virtual reality are entering pilot programs for pain management and mental health treatment.

Meanwhile, interoperability remains critical. The ability to move data across platforms and EHRs is table stakes for effective care coordination.

Specialty Care Is Going Virtual, Too

Telehealth is expanding across specialties. Behavioral health remains a leading use case, but others are quickly following. Remote surgical consults and virtual collaborations between specialists are gaining traction. Chronic disease management platforms are being built with virtual touchpoints at their core.

These advancements are creating new expectations for seamless care—from diagnosis to treatment to follow-up.

Payment Models Continue to Shift

Telehealth reimbursement is still a moving target. While many payers have retained pandemic-era policies, others are scaling back. What’s clear is that value-based telehealth is here to stay. Hybrid care models are being built into risk contracts, and direct-to-consumer virtual care is driving demand for more flexible coverage.

As the reimbursement landscape evolves, telehealth leaders will be looking to events like HIMSS26 for insights into aligning payment models with long-term virtual care strategies.

Hospitals Are Redesigning Around Virtual-First Care

Health systems are moving from telehealth programs to virtual-first service lines. Digital front doors are being reimagined to triage patients effectively, deliver personalized recommendations, and guide navigation. Some are exploring workforce distribution models where clinicians work in hybrid settings.

The key to success? Operational alignment. Virtual care must be embedded into clinical pathways and supported by infrastructure that ensures continuity.

Physician Practices Are Rebuilding Workflows

Physicians are adapting, too. Hybrid practices are optimizing productivity by balancing in-person and virtual volume. Some are building virtual care teams with nurses, pharmacists, and care coordinators supporting follow-up, education, and chronic care management.

Still, burnout and workflow friction remain real challenges. The most successful practices are investing in systems that integrate telehealth seamlessly with documentation, scheduling, and billing.

Payers Are Shaping the Future

Payers aren’t just reacting—they’re shaping the virtual care landscape. Virtual-first health plans are evolving, often in collaboration with providers. Networks are being redesigned with telehealth access in mind, and new quality measurement approaches are emerging to reflect virtual interactions.

Payers attending HIMSS26 can connect with peers and innovators exploring how policy, virtual care models, and member engagement strategies are evolving in tandem.

The Patient Experience Is Front and Center

Virtual care success depends on more than technology. It requires a patient experience that feels intuitive, personalized, and equitable. In 2026, that means multimodal communication (video, chat, app), streamlined intake, and services that address language, accessibility, and digital literacy needs.

Patients expect the same level of service in virtual settings as they do in physical ones—and that expectation is shaping vendor selection, staffing models, and design decisions.

Regulation and Oversight Are Evolving

From licensure portability to privacy frameworks, the regulatory landscape continues to shift. States are reevaluating cross-border care policies, and federal agencies are refining oversight for quality and safety in virtual environments.

Healthcare leaders attending HIMSS26 can expect updates on licensure reform, privacy requirements, and evolving federal frameworks during dedicated sessions and networking opportunities.

What Comes Next

Telehealth in 2026 is not about returning to 2020 strategies—it’s about building for permanence. The organizations leading the way aren’t treating virtual care as a separate channel. They’re embedding it across service lines, across specialties, and across business models.

If you’re ready to explore what’s next, HIMSS26 is where leaders in telehealth policy, innovation, and clinical delivery will gather to chart the path forward. Sign up for updates and stay at the forefront of virtual care transformation.