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August 8, 2026

Takeaways from the most recent news in the technology and policies shaping healthcare.

Telehealth

Teladoc Named NBA Players Union's Preferred Virtual Care Provider

The National Basketball Players Association has named Teladoc Health its preferred virtual care provider through a new multiyear partnership, according to Becker's Hospital Review. Announced July 8, the deal gives active and retired NBA players and their families preferred access to Teladoc's virtual care network, including primary care, 24/7 urgent care, and preventive health screenings.

The arrangement extends coverage beyond current rosters to retirees and family members, a group whose health needs often go underserved once players leave the league. For Teladoc, the deal is a high-visibility endorsement as the company works to stabilize a business pressured by slowing growth and tough competition in the telehealth market.

Sports organizations are increasingly turning to virtual care to reach members who travel constantly and need on-demand access. The NBPA partnership signals that recognizable institutional customers still see value in a broad, integrated telehealth network, giving Teladoc a marketing win and a template for reaching other associations and large member groups.

More in Telehealth

Telehealth

KFF Journalists Unpack Telehealth, ACA, and Covid Injury Fights

KFF Health News journalists broke down telehealth's uncertain federal future, ACA enrollment, and HHS's Covid injury list across a round of media appearances.

Why it matters: Telehealth reimbursement and access still depend on short-term federal extensions, leaving virtual-care operators unable to plan long term.

Telehealth

Becker's Names 272 Telehealth Companies to Know for 2026

Becker's Hospital Review named 272 telehealth companies to know for 2026, reflecting how virtual care became permanent, crowded, and increasingly specialized.

Why it matters: The scale of the list shows telehealth is now core healthcare infrastructure, raising the bar for vendors to prove value beyond access.

Telehealth

DiMe Launches Initiative to Smooth Virtual-First Care Contracts

DiMe launched an initiative to help payers and virtual care providers navigate the contract implementation problems that commonly stall virtual-first care programs.

Why it matters: Contract friction, not technology, is often what stalls virtual care programs, and standardizing implementation could help the model scale.