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Medicare & Telehealth Coverage

Published March 2026 · Last updated · Written and edited by Paul Paradis · Educational information – not medical or mental-health advice

What changed: Renamed the link text “Understanding Telehealth Costs & Insurance” to “Telehealth costs with private insurance”, “Understanding Telehealth Costs & Hidden Fees” to “Add-on fees that Medicare billing does not cover”.

If you're on Medicare, telehealth coverage has expanded significantly, but what's covered depends on whether you have Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan, and the rules continue to evolve. This guide explains how telehealth works with both plan types, what services are covered, and what you'll pay for virtual visits. For more, see our telehealth guide for seniors, learn about understanding telehealth costs, or explore online therapy platforms that accept Medicare.

An older man sits in a rattan chair indoors.

Medicare Telehealth Coverage Overview

Medicare now covers a wide range of telehealth services:

The COVID-19 pandemic led to major expansions in Medicare telehealth, and Congress has extended several of them. Through December 31, 2027, you can receive Medicare telehealth anywhere in the United States, including at home, and audio-only visits in the home continue. Starting January 1, 2028, non-behavioral care generally must be furnished from a medical facility in a rural area. Behavioral health telehealth at home does not revert to that rural-facility rule. Congress also delayed the in-person visit requirement for mental health telehealth, so it does not start until January 1, 2028. Those dates were set by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 (Public Law 119-75, section 6209, signed February 3, 2026), and are explained in the CMS Telehealth FAQ updated October 8, 2026.

Original Medicare (Parts A & B) Telehealth Coverage

Part B (Medical Insurance) Telehealth

Medicare Part B covers outpatient telehealth services including:

Where You Can Receive Telehealth

Medicare now allows you to receive telehealth services from:

Mental Health Telehealth Specifics

For mental health services:

Medicare Advantage (Part C) Telehealth

Medicare Advantage plans often offer enhanced telehealth benefits:

Common Medicare Advantage Telehealth Benefits

Check your specific Medicare Advantage plan's benefits, as coverage varies by plan and region.

What You'll Pay for Medicare Telehealth

Original Medicare Costs

The 2026 premium and deductible are from the CMS fact sheet on 2026 Medicare Parts A and B premiums and deductibles and the Medicare.gov 2026 costs booklet. Confirm your own premium with Social Security before you budget around the standard amount.

Medigap (Supplemental Insurance)

If you have a Medigap policy:

Medicare Advantage Costs

Covered Telehealth Provider Types

Medicare covers telehealth services from various provider types:

The provider must be enrolled in Medicare and licensed in your state.

Finding Medicare Telehealth Providers

Medicare.gov Provider Search

Use the official Medicare provider finder to search for providers who offer telehealth:

Telehealth Platforms Accepting Medicare

Some telehealth platforms accept Medicare:

Disclosure: No link on this site was placed by hand to pay us a commission, though a script from Sovrn Commerce (VigLink) that runs on every page may turn some ordinary links to outside stores and services into affiliate links that can earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. When it converts a link, our page code tags that link rel="sponsored" for search engines, but nothing on screen marks it as paid, so treat any outbound link as one that could earn us money. Our “best” and comparison guides do not score or rank services, and a possible commission never changes which services we list or what we say about them; see the affiliate disclosure.

Always verify Medicare acceptance before your appointment.

Your Current Providers

Ask your existing Medicare providers if they offer telehealth visits. Many providers who accept Medicare in-person also offer virtual appointments.

Mental Health Coverage Under Medicare

Medicare provides substantial mental health coverage via telehealth:

Covered Mental Health Services

No Session Limits

Unlike some private insurance plans, Medicare does not impose annual limits on the number of mental health sessions you can receive.

In-Person Visit Requirements

For ongoing mental health care via telehealth:

These dates have already moved several times. Before February 2026, the flexibilities were due to end on January 30, 2026, and the in-person requirement was set to begin January 31, 2026. Earlier, they briefly lapsed on October 1, 2025, when a previous extension expired; CMS says it pays telehealth claims from that gap as if there had been no lapse (CMS Telehealth FAQ, question 16). Once the law was signed, the dates moved to December 31, 2027 and January 1, 2028.

Audio-Only (Telephone) Telehealth

Medicare covers audio-only telehealth in certain circumstances:

Note: Some services may still require video capability. Check with your provider about specific requirements.

Medicare Telehealth: What's NOT Covered

Some limitations still apply:

Tips for Using Medicare Telehealth

  1. Verify coverage: Confirm your provider accepts Medicare and offers telehealth
  2. Understand your costs: Know your deductible status and expected copay/coinsurance
  3. Have your Medicare card ready: Providers will need your Medicare information
  4. Test your technology: Test your device, internet, and camera/microphone the day before
  5. Find a private space: Telehealth visits deserve the same privacy as in-person visits
  6. Prepare your questions: Write down what you want to discuss with your provider
  7. Keep records: Save visit summaries and any instructions from your provider

Medicare Telehealth Policy Changes

Medicare telehealth rules have changed significantly and continue to evolve:

What the primary sources say

Medicare.gov says that through December 31, 2027, Medicare covers telehealth services you can get from anywhere in the U.S., including your home (Medicare.gov, Telehealth). NIMH recommends writing down your questions and concerns before a visit, which helps when a session is short or on the phone (NIMH, Tips for Talking With Your Health Care Provider).

Talk to a licensed clinician: Ask your licensed clinician whether a telehealth visit, an in-person visit or a mix is right for you, and ask your plan what you'll owe. The site's free AI guide can help you sort through questions, but it is not a therapist or doctor.

Sources

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Frequently asked questions

Does Medicare cover telehealth visits?

Yes, Medicare covers a wide range of telehealth services including mental health therapy, primary care visits, specialist consultations, and chronic care management. Both Original Medicare (Part B) and Medicare Advantage plans provide telehealth coverage. Through December 31, 2027, beneficiaries can receive Medicare telehealth anywhere in the United States, including at home, and audio-only visits in the home continue. Starting January 1, 2028, non-behavioral telehealth generally returns to a rural medical facility, while behavioral health telehealth at home stays in place. Source: CMS Telehealth FAQ updated October 8, 2026.

Can I receive Medicare telehealth from my home?

Yes. Through December 31, 2027, Medicare beneficiaries can receive telehealth services anywhere in the United States and territories, including at home. Starting January 1, 2028, except for behavioral health, beneficiaries will generally need to be in a medical facility in a rural area. Behavioral health telehealth at home does not have that geographic limit. Source: CMS Telehealth FAQ updated October 8, 2026.

How much does Medicare telehealth cost?

With Original Medicare, you pay 20% coinsurance of the Medicare-approved amount after meeting your Part B deductible, the same as in-person visits. For 2026 the standard Part B premium is $202.90 a month and the Part B deductible is $283. Income-related premiums are higher. Medicare Advantage plans often have lower copays for telehealth, sometimes $0-$30 per visit, and some plans include free telehealth services. Source: CMS 2026 Medicare Parts A and B premiums and deductibles fact sheet.

Does Medicare cover mental health therapy via telehealth?

Yes, Medicare provides substantial mental health coverage via telehealth including individual psychotherapy, group therapy, psychiatric evaluations, and medication management. Unlike some private insurance plans, Medicare does not impose annual limits on the number of mental health sessions you can receive.

Does Medicare cover audio-only telephone telehealth visits?

Yes. Through December 31, 2027, Medicare beneficiaries may receive audio-only telehealth in their homes. Starting January 1, 2028, audio-only remains allowed for behavioral health at home when the practitioner can use video and the patient cannot, or does not consent to, video. Source: CMS Telehealth FAQ updated October 8, 2026.

What telehealth services are NOT covered by Medicare?

Medicare telehealth does not cover services requiring physical examination, hands-on medical procedures, lab work like blood draws, or imaging such as X-rays and MRIs. However, these tests can be ordered through a telehealth visit. Services from providers not enrolled in Medicare are also not covered.

More on Medicare telehealth and related topics

A safety note on Medicare telehealth

Everything on this Medicare telehealth page is general education only. Medicare rules are complex and change frequently. This guide may not reflect the most current policies, and specific coverage depends on your individual situation.

For accurate information about your Medicare benefits, contact Medicare directly at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), visit Medicare.gov, or contact your Medicare Advantage plan. This is not benefits advice, and decisions about your healthcare coverage should be made with accurate, current information from official sources.

Sources

Who researched and edited this Medicare telehealth guide

Everything in this Medicare telehealth guide was written and edited by Paul Paradis, the founder and editor of Telehealth Navigator, whose background includes more than two years inside a forensic mental health hospital setting and a personal and family life that mental health runs through. He reads the source documents most people don’t have time to get through, especially SAMHSA program documents, APA and NIMH guidance, and CMS telehealth policy, all of it rewritten here in plain English with links back to each original so you can verify it yourself. Paul is not a licensed clinician, and nothing in this Medicare telehealth guide is medical advice, and the full process for how each guide is researched, reviewed, and updated is described in our editorial standards.