Bridge Research · Consumer survey · 2026

The State of Virtual Care 2026

In 2020, virtual care took off because patients had no choice. Six years later, they’re choosing it.

We asked 2,016 U.S. adults how they find virtual care, what they pay for it and what they use it for: 1,814 who have used it and 202 who never have.

This report breaks down the top insights from that survey. Each section covers one finding and what it means for the companies building virtual care and the health plans paying for it.

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91%

of virtual care users are satisfied with it

82%

rate it as good as or better than in-person care

56%

got virtual care through their own regular provider

7%

paid entirely out of pocket for their last visit

What’s inside

  1. 01OutcomesSatisfaction, resolution and how virtual compares with in-person care.
  2. 02Access & coverageHow patients find virtual care, what they pay and what happens out of network.
  3. 03EngagementWhat turns a first visit into repeat use, and what drives people away.
  4. 04Use casesWhat patients use virtual care for today and what they think it can handle.
  5. 05SegmentsAge groups, never-users and the personas behind the numbers.

Bridge Consumer Virtual Care Survey, August 2026. U.S. adults 18+, unweighted. Includes a playbook for virtual care companies and health plans, plus a PDF edition.