Number of physician visits

In 2025, the number of physician visits in the United States is estimated to reach 1.16 billion, representing tepid growth of 0.9% from the prior year. The rate of increase in physician visits has moderated as employment stabilizes and most pandemic disruptions have eased. The availability of alternative care providers and settings, such as nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and retail clinics, continues to shape patient behavior, limiting more rapid increases in demand for traditional physician services. An aging population and higher average disposable income also support modest growth in visits, but these trends are counterbalanced by ongoing shifts in healthcare utilization patterns.

Between 2020 and 2025, the number of physician visits displayed volatility, but rose overall after the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020 and 2021, physician visits declined as the COVID-19 pandemic limited the healthcare industry's capacity for more routine services such as check-ups, and concerns about the possible spread of the virus limited individuals' use of in-person healthcare services outside of emergencies. However, pent-up demand and an aging population supported stronger growth in subsequent years, with physician visits rising by 7.5% in 2022 and another 4.3% in 2023 as patients resumed deferred care and as increased health consciousness lingered from the pandemic. However, the pace of growth slowed, with visits rising 2.2% in 2024 and only 0.9% in 2025 as demand normalized.

Macro-level changes in healthcare delivery and insurance coverage have played a significant role throughout the period. Employer-sponsored health insurance policies increasingly encourage use of nurse practitioners and physician assistants, reducing the need for direct physician involvement and contributing to the slower growth in visits per capita. Expansion of retail clinics and other non-physician alternatives provides patients with greater flexibility but also dilutes volume growth for traditional physician offices. The Affordable Care Act continues to support baseline access to healthcare, particularly for previously uninsured populations, while high employment rates have historically driven up private insurance coverage and demand.

Over the five years to 2025, the number of physician visits has gradually increased, supported by broader healthcare access, an aging population, a return to normalcy following pandemic disruptions, and a gradual economic recovery. These factors have helped offset headwinds arising from alternative healthcare options and evolving patterns in how patients access health services.

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