(Press-News.org) Embargoed for release until 5:00 p.m. ET on Monday 16 February 2026
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Below please find summaries of new articles that will be published in the next issue of Annals of Internal Medicine. The summaries are not intended to substitute for the full articles as a source of information. This information is under strict embargo and by taking it into possession, media representatives are committing to the terms of the embargo not only on their own behalf, but also on behalf of the organization they represent.
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1. 1 in 6 Medicare beneficiaries depend on telehealth for key medical care
Abstract: https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/ANNALS-25-05028
URL goes live when the embargo lifts
A cross-sectional analysis of Medicare beneficiaries found that one in six beneficiaries used telehealth between 2021 and 2023, with nearly half of all mental health visits conducted virtually. The analysis also shows that telehealth was frequently used to manage other common medical issues, including diabetes, hypertension, and COVID‑19. These findings raise concerns that limiting Medicare coverage for non‑mental health telehealth visits could disrupt care for medically vulnerable patients. The study is published in Annals of Internal Medicine.
Researchers from the University of Utah School of Medicine and University of Michigan Medical School aimed to understand how Medicare beneficiaries use telehealth and which medical conditions are most often treated remotely. They analyzed data from the nationally representative Medical Expenditure Panel Survey between 2021–2023, linking each outpatient visit to its associated medical condition and classifying whether it occurred in-person or via telehealth. Across medical conditions, telehealth usage was substantial. 45.1% of mental health visits were telehealth visits, and 29 million telehealth visits for non-mental health conditions occurred annually. The findings suggest that telehealth has become an essential component of care for older and medically vulnerable adults. The authors warn that rolling back telehealth flexibilities may reduce access and strain health systems already facing high demand.
Media contacts: For an embargoed PDF, please contact Gabby Macrina at gmacrina@acponline.org. To contact corresponding author Terrence Liu, MD, MS please email Terrence.Liu@hsc.utah.edu.
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2. Updated VA/DOD asthma guidelines prioritize inhaled steroids, reject air filtration devices
Abstract: https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/ANNALS-25-03080
Editorial: https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/ANNALS-25-05637
Summary for Patients: https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/ANNALS-25-03080-PS
URL goes live when the embargo lifts
An updated joint clinical guideline from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Department of Defense (DOD) recommends a streamlined, more effective approach to asthma care for veterans and service members, most notably endorsing inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) as the cornerstone of treatment and combining them with a rapid‑onset long‑acting beta‑agonist to simplify daily management. A synopsis of this updated guideline is published in Annals of Internal Medicine.
To update its 2019 recommendations, the VA and DOD assembled a multidisciplinary work group in 2024 to evaluate the latest evidence on asthma care. Using a systematic review of research published between July 2018 and May 2024, the group developed 12 key clinical questions and applied the GRADE system to rate evidence and shape 21 final recommendations. The updated guideline concludes that inhaled corticosteroids, either alone or paired with a rapid‑onset long‑acting beta‑agonist, should remain the primary treatment, with dose adjustments or added long‑acting anticholinergic medications used to step up care. It also finds that addressing conditions like GERD and obesity can improve asthma control, while indoor air filtration devices show little benefit. The guideline further provides clear points for when primary care providers should refer patients to specialists.
Media contacts: For an embargoed PDF, please contact Gabby Macrina at gmacrina@acponline.org. To contact corresponding author James Sall, PhD please email james.sall@va.gov.
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Also new this issue:
Use of Large-Language Models for Therapy: Promise and Perils
Robert A. Kleinman, MD, MSc; John Torous, MD; and Marlon Danilewitz, MD
Ideas and Opinions
Abstract: https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/ANNALS-25-04914
QUADAS-3: A Revised Tool for the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies
Penny F. Whiting, BA (hons), MSc, PhD, et al.
Research and Reporting Methods
Abstract: https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/ANNALS-25-02104
Companion Guide: https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/ANNALS-25-04943
END
1 in 6 Medicare beneficiaries depend on telehealth for key medical care
2026-02-16
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Introduction
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