Introduction
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the baseline physician requirements per 100,000 population will reach a total of at least 291 physicians by 2020. This demand rose from 253 physicians per 100,000 population in 2000 because of the increasingly aging population. This means that a total of 37 states—as well as the country on average—falls below this baseline requirement. Telehealth is a way to mitigate this need. This Index ranks states on Telehealth access and coverage.