#49 - What Shaped Telemedicine in 2025, and What's Next in 2026?

 This episode is sponsored by Lightstone DIRECT. Lightstone DIRECT invites you to partner with a $12B AUM real estate institution as you grow your portfolio. Access the same single-asset multifamily and industrial deals Lightstone pursues with its own capital – Lightstone co-invests a minimum of 20% in each deal alongside individual investors like you. You’re an institution. Time to invest like one.__________________________What shaped telemedicine in 2025, and what's on the horizon for 2026?In this special New Year episode of Telemedicine Talks, host Dr. Leo Damasco recaps the year's major developments, including the shift from broad direct-to-consumer platforms to focused enterprise partnerships, heightened focus on compliance and accreditation, clinical standardization, physician leadership, and AI's role in care. She discusses Medicare flexibility extensions, legal scrutiny, and predicts continued consolidation, hybrid models, and stricter regulations in 2026, emphasizing opportunities for innovation and better governance.Three Actionable Takeaways:Business Model Shifts: Telemedicine moved away from unfocused direct-to-consumer care toward enterprise partnerships with payers, employers, and health systems, with specialized platforms thriving.Regulatory and Compliance Focus: 2025 saw increased scrutiny on governance, accreditation (e.g., URAC), prescribing audits, and PC-MSO structures, making compliance business-critical amid lawsuits and investigations.Physician Empowerment and AI Integration: Doctors gained leverage in leadership roles and compensation, while AI enhanced operations but faced pushback against fully replacing clinicians, ensuring human oversight in care.About the Show:Telemedicine Talks explores the evolving world of digital health, helping physicians navigate new opportunities, regulatory challenges, and career transitions in telemedicine.About the Host:Dr. Leo Damasco – Pediatrician and emergency medicine doctor turned telemedicine advocate, helping physicians transition to digital health.Connect with Leo:[email protected]  The information provided in Telemedicine Talks is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical, legal, or financial advice. While we discuss best practices, industry trends, and real-world experiences, every situation is unique. Listeners should consult with qualified professionals before making decisions related to telemedicine practice, compliance, contracts, or business operations. The views expressed by the hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of any organizations they may be affiliated with. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.