The article examines the main historical stages of the development of legal regulation of telemedicine in Russia, analyzes legislative and other initiatives in this area that took place since the understanding of the need to legalize electronic medicine long before the adoption of specialized legislation. The use of historical experience contributes to a deeper understanding of the specifics of legal regulation of medical care provided with the use of telemedicine technologies, allows to build legal forecasts of its improvement. In the context of the ongoing pandemic of the new COVID-19 coronavirus infection, which has affected all countries of the world, the role of telemedicine technologies in the provision of medical care is increasing. That situation actualizes relevant scientific research both in the field of natural sciences and in the historical and legal sphere.