Does Medicare Cover Telehealth Services?
How Medicare covers virtual healthcare and when you can use it
Written by Walter Johnson, Licensed Insurance Agent
This article is for educational purposes only and is not a solicitation for insurance
OFFICIAL 2026 EDUCATIONAL RESOURCE BY WALTER JOHNSON, LICENSED INSURANCE AGENT (CA #0J15814).
How Medicare covers virtual healthcare and when you can use it
Written by Walter Johnson, Licensed Insurance Agent
This article is for educational purposes only and is not a solicitation for insurance
Does Medicare cover telehealth services? Learn what virtual visits are covered, eligibility rules, and what you’ll pay under Medicare.
Does Medicare Cover Telehealth Services?
👉 Yes — Medicare covers telehealth services, allowing you to receive care remotely using phone or video.
Telehealth has become an important way to access healthcare without needing to visit a doctor’s office in person.
Understanding how this coverage works can help you use your benefits more conveniently.
👉 Start here: Medicare Coverage
👉 Related: Does Medicare Cover Doctor Visits
What Are Telehealth Services?
Telehealth services are medical visits conducted remotely using technology such as video calls or phone appointments.
These services allow you to connect with healthcare providers from your home or another location.
Which Part of Medicare Covers Telehealth?
Telehealth services are covered under Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance).
Part B covers virtual visits when they are medically necessary and provided by a Medicare-approved provider.
👉 See also: Does Medicare Cover Outpatient Services
What Telehealth Services Medicare Covers
Medicare may cover a variety of telehealth services, including:
Doctor consultations
Mental health services
Follow-up visits
Preventive care consultations
Coverage depends on the type of service and provider.
👉 Related: Does Medicare Cover Mental Health
👉 Related: Does Medicare Cover Preventive Services
Where You Can Receive Telehealth Services
You can often receive telehealth care:
At home
In a healthcare facility
Medicare has expanded access to allow more services to be provided from home.
What You Pay for Telehealth Services
With Part B, you typically pay:
An annual deductible
20% coinsurance for most services
Costs are generally similar to in-person visits.
👉 Learn more: How Much Does Medicare Cost Per Month
Telehealth Under Medicare Advantage Plans
If you have a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan, telehealth services are also covered and may include additional benefits.
Plans may offer:
Expanded telehealth options
Lower copayments
👉 Learn more: How Medicare Advantage Plans Work
👉 See also: Is Medicare Advantage Worth It?
What Medicare Does NOT Cover
Medicare may not cover:
Services that are not medically necessary
Providers who are not Medicare-approved
Understanding these limits helps avoid unexpected costs.
👉 Learn more: What Medicare Doesn’t Cover
Why This Matters
Understanding telehealth coverage helps you:
Access care more conveniently
Reduce travel time
Stay consistent with your healthcare needs
Next Step
Now that you understand telehealth services, the next step is reviewing broader coverage gaps in Medicare.
👉 Continue to: What Medicare Doesn’t Cover
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