Virtual Care in 2026 - Trends, Technologies, and What Providers Need to Know

by DrChrono Staff

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The future of healthcare is unfolding in real time, and virtual care is leading the way. This rapid digital transformation has reshaped how providers deliver services and how patients manage their care.

And 2026 is set to be a pivotal year for virtual care. Why? This technology has moved far beyond simple face-to-face video calls. It now represents an elevated, integrated system that touches every point of the patient journey.

Providers must stay informed about new trends and innovations to deliver exceptional care, remain competitive, and meet changing patient expectations.

This article explores the key virtual care trends for 2026, the technologies driving them, and what it all means for your practice.

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What Is Virtual Care in 2026?

In 2026, virtual care goes far beyond telehealth. It’s a comprehensive ecosystem of digital tools, artificial intelligence (AI), and workflows that extends care beyond the walls of a practice.

This evolution reflects a digital health landscape where technology is seamlessly woven into the fabric of care delivery. This includes asynchronous visits, advanced remote diagnostics, and AI-supported care coordination. In fact, AI is a cornerstone of this new landscape.

AI in healthcare 2026 is a practical tool embedded in daily operations. AI algorithms now power intelligent patient triage, automate appointment scheduling, and streamline clinical documentation by transcribing conversations and suggesting relevant codes. This frees up valuable time for providers and their staff to focus on patient care.

So, what is the function of virtual care in 2026? Its role is to support the entire patient journey.

  • It starts before a patient even feels sick, with digital tools for wellness and prevention.
  • It continues with AI-powered triage to guide them to the right level of care, followed by virtual consultations and remote monitoring.
  • It concludes with automated follow-ups and chronic disease management.

A significant driver behind virtual care is the expansion of reimbursement policies. For 2026, some CMS, Medicare, and private payers’ telehealth reimbursement policies have been renewed, but overall coverage has expanded. For example, some policies are shifting from broad pandemic waivers to more permanent rules. Medicare.gov reveals a few to note:

  • Starting January 31, 2026, most Medicare telehealth services revert to rural-only rules, requiring patients to be in rural areas for services, but mental health services remain fully accessible from home.
  • CMS is also tightening supervision rules for some telehealth services, such as making virtual direct supervision permanent for diagnostic tests.
  • Private payers often mirror Medicare’s lead but maintain their own policies, with variations based on plans and state laws.

These reimbursement policies create a stable financial foundation for practices to invest in more advanced healthcare technology trends and consumer-driven healthcare models.

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Patient meets doctor via laptop

Why Virtual Care Is the Future

Virtual care is the backbone of healthcare delivery in a tech-driven future. Providers need to shift their focus, and here’s why:

Growing Demand for Convenience and Accessibility

Patients are modern healthcare consumers. Meaning, they bring the same expectations to their medical care as they do to banking or shopping. They demand convenience and are increasingly seeking healthcare that fits seamlessly into their busy lives.

They may also live in areas without access to specialized care (rural areas). This demand drives the widespread adoption of telemedicine platforms and other virtual care technologies.

For example, one study found that telehealth provides a way for people with lung cancer who live in rural areas where there may not be many palliative care providers or who don’t have reliable transportation to receive palliative care. A survey reveals that 67% of respondents prefer virtual care over in-person visits for several forms of routine care. Nearly all respondents who received telehealth said they would do so again in the future.

Cost-Effectiveness

Virtual care offers significant cost reductions, with fewer overheads compared to traditional in-person visits. For providers, this means implementing sustainable healthcare cost management strategies while still addressing patient needs.

Case in point: a Nebraska hospital implemented telemedicine services and racked up significant savings. For complete emergency telehealth services with multiple specialties for 365 days, the hospital only pays the equivalent of having one backup physician by phone for approximately 45 to 60 days.

This shift reduced their expenses while maintaining compliance with regulatory requirements for physician oversight. For patients, virtual care eliminates transportation expenses and minimizes time lost while waiting for appointments.

A study assessed telehealth visits’ potential savings in costs and time compared to in-person visits over two years. The technology saved an estimated 204 years of travel time and $33,540,244 in travel-related expenses.

Policies and Investments in Virtual Healthcare

Governments and private investors are increasingly backing initiatives and policies focused on virtual healthcare innovation.

For example, investors have poured more than $30 billion into healthcare AI startups in the last three years, notes a report from Flare Capital Partners. Government policies supporting virtual care innovation mainly focus on the following:

  • Expanding telehealth coverage
  • Incentivizing technology adoption
  • Promoting data sharing to facilitate R&D of new virtual care models

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Father and Child virtual care

Here are some of the most essential 2026 healthcare trends reshaping the future of virtual care:

AI in Healthcare

The AI market in healthcare is expected to grow at an annual rate of 34.5% from 2026 to 2035. With this rise, AI in healthcare 2026 will continue revolutionizing medicine, enhancing decision-making, reducing errors, and optimizing personal treatment plans.

For example, AI-powered robotic prostheses use reinforcement learning to adapt, change, and improve their performance as the person uses it, effectively transforming daily life for people with limb differences.

AI is also expected to significantly advance telemedicine and virtual care by improving diagnostic accuracy while streamlining both clinical and administrative operations. For example, cloud-based EHR platforms like DrChrono offer Telehealth Video Visits, where providers can conduct virtual visits directly from the EHR or mobile device (iPad, mobile phone).

Through AI-powered technology, the telehealth platform offers features such as: The AI market in healthcare is expected to grow at an annual rate of 34.5% from 2026 to 2035. With this rise, AI in healthcare 2026 will continue revolutionizing medicine, enhancing decision-making, reducing errors, and optimizing personal treatment plans.

For example, AI-powered robotic prostheses use reinforcement learning to adapt, change, and improve their performance as the person uses it, effectively transforming daily life for people with limb differences.

AI is also expected to significantly advance telemedicine and virtual care by improving diagnostic accuracy while streamlining both clinical and administrative operations. For example, cloud-based EHR platforms like DrChrono offer Telehealth Video Visits, where providers can conduct virtual visits directly from the EHR or mobile device (iPad, mobile phone).

Through AI-powered technology, the telehealth platform offers features such as:

  • Patient scheduling: An OnPatient portal that allows patients to schedule and take Video Visits from their desktop or mobile iOS device, safely chat via the message center, manage payments, and sign consent forms.
  • Integrated platform: Providers can schedule and conduct visits directly from their EHR platform.
  • Easy onboarding: The platform allows patients to receive a link to their virtual visit without any set-up required on their end.

RPM and Wearable Health Tech Advancements

Remote patient monitoring (RPM) technology allows providers to monitor patients’ health status from a distance using digital devices. Wearables, such as monitors and trackers, are the most popular RPM devices equipped with sensors for monitoring vital signs, heart rate, and glucose levels.

For example, microfluidic patches (small adhesive patches) analyze bodily biomarkers in real-time. This tool improves diagnostic accuracy and medication management for providers and reduces the need for invasive tests.

These tools empower patient-centric care trends, allowing patients to take an active role in managing their own health in collaboration with providers. In 2026, this technology will only become smarter and more integrated into healthcare research and workflows.

Enhanced Interoperability

The 21st Century Cures Act requires healthcare providers to not block patient data—if they have it, they must share it. EHR and interoperability trends are streamlining data exchange between providers, improving continuity and quality of care.

Interoperable systems are essential for all EHRs, including virtual care platforms, enabling providers to access a patient’s full medical history regardless of where or how it was recorded.

So, what are some EHR and interoperability trends to expect in 2026? Let’s take a look:

  • Wider adoption of standardized APIs for data exchange, aiming for a more patient-centric and connected health ecosystem
  • Cloud-based EHR systems
  • Strong data security measures such as Blockchain technology

Automation in Healthcare

Healthcare automation helps providers manage administrative tasks more efficiently, from scheduling appointments to creating standardized workflows.

For example, the DrChrono Telehealth platform features HIPAA-compliant, easy-to-use Video Visits that let providers create online appointments and send automated emails to patients without additional software. Other automated features include:

  • Placing lab orders or prescribing regular and controlled substances (EPCS) from any device
  • Exchanging secure, HIPAA-compliant messaging through the OnPatient portal
  • Automating online payments and medical billing tools

Value-Based Care in 2026

The healthcare industry is pivoting toward patient-centered models that emphasize outcomes over volume. Notably, virtual care technologies align perfectly with models like value-based care, where the emphasis is placed on improving outcomes while optimizing resources.

Value-based care in 2026 will involve many virtual care solutions, including:

For example, the shift from facility-based to home-based care is booming, with around $265 billion in services transitioning to home settings. This shift is driven by tech (like telehealth), cost, and consumer preferences, with significant potential for expansion.

By 2026, regulatory changes from CMS are solidifying this trend, making it easier for home health agencies to accept various practitioner documentation and introducing updates to payment models, all aimed to support this “care at home” movement for better patient outcomes, cost savings, and increased access.

Doctor wearing headset

To stay ahead in a rapidly evolving industry, healthcare providers must proactively adopt strategies that keep them informed and competitive. Here’s how:

  1. Invest in Training and Technology

Dedicate resources to upskilling staff and adopting virtual care platforms that align with your practice’s needs. Look at solutions that integrate seamlessly with existing systems, including EHRs.

  1. Join Industry Networks

Engage with communities focused on the future of healthcare, participating in forums, webinars, and conferences that showcase the latest innovations and best practices. Some notable ones in 2026 include:

  1. Monitor Research and Analytics

Keep track of what’s happening in the wider context of healthcare by reading whitepapers, research reports, and trend analyses focused on the latest health tech advancements. For example, online platforms like Medscape gather and curate medical updates and news across various specialties.

  1. Subscribe to Industry Newsletters

Stay in the loop by subscribing to trusted healthcare newsletters, podcasts, and blogs focusing on virtual care and healthcare trends. Some podcasts to consider:

These trends have tangible, positive impacts on medical practices of all sizes. Adapting to this new model allows providers to achieve greater efficiency, improve patient satisfaction, and secure their position in a competitive market. Here’s how:

Reduce administrative burdens. Automation handles repetitive tasks like appointment reminders, intake forms, and billing submissions. This not only reduces staff workload but also minimizes human error, leading to a more efficient revenue cycle and improved financial health.

Increase patient engagement: Digital-first tools and workflows lead to significantly higher patient engagement. Why? Patients today expect the same convenience from their healthcare provider that they get from other consumer services. Offering tools for online scheduling, asynchronous messaging with their care team, and easy access to their health records meets these expectations. Engaged and happy patients are more likely to adhere to treatment plans, attend appointments, and take a proactive role in their health.

Match bigger competitors: Embracing virtual care enables independent practices and smaller clinics to compete more effectively with large health systems and retail health entrants. By leveraging the right technology, you can offer a comparable level of convenience and access without massive overhead. This is crucial for retaining patients and attracting new ones, particularly in emerging healthcare markets where digital access can be a key differentiator.

Save money: Efficient billing and coding, driven by AI and automation, ensure you are reimbursed correctly and promptly for all eligible services. Virtual care tools also dramatically reduce no-show rates, a common drain on practice revenue. By offering convenient alternatives and automated reminders, you protect your schedule and your bottom line.

Preparing for the Next Era of Virtual Care

The evolution of virtual care has moved from a temporary solution to an essential component of a modern, patient-centered practice. Some thoughts to consider:

Key Takeaways:

  • Virtual care has transformed into a comprehensive ecosystem, integrating AI, remote monitoring, and digital tools to support the entire patient journey—from prevention to chronic disease management.
  • Growing demand for convenience, cost-effectiveness, and accessibility drives adoption of virtual care tools like telehealth, wearables, and home-based care.
  • AI, remote patient monitoring (RPM), interoperability, and automation are reshaping healthcare delivery, enabling better outcomes and operational efficiency.

However, the biggest key takeaway is that the time for digital transformation in healthcare is now. Providers who delay modernizing their practices risk falling behind, both in efficiency and in their ability to meet patient expectations.

Ready to take the first step toward securing your practice’s future and thrive in this new era of medicine? Contact DrChrono to explore the latest telehealth solutions that can help your practice deliver accessible, cost-effective, and patient-centric care.

FAQs

What are the key trends in virtual care for 2026?
Top trends include AI-driven healthcare, advancements in remote patient monitoring (RPM) and wearables, enhanced interoperability, automation, and value-based care models.

Why is virtual care important for patients?
Virtual care offers convenience, accessibility, and cost savings, meeting modern patients’ expectations for seamless, consumer-like healthcare experiences.

What are the financial benefits of virtual care for practices?
Virtual care reduces administrative burdens, minimizes no-show rates, and ensures accurate reimbursements, improving financial health and operational efficiency.