Key takeaways:
Telehealth allows people to connect with healthcare professionals via a device such as a computer, tablet, or phone.
Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans cover telehealth services, but you may not be covered with all healthcare professionals or at all locations.
Medicare coverage of telehealth services was expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some changes are permanent, while others were guaranteed through September 30, 2025. Changes in federal funding, like during the government shutdown that began on October 1, 2025, can affect available benefits.
According to recent data, Medicare provides health insurance to 69 million people in the U.S., the majority of whom are ages 65 and older. During the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE), many Medicare enrollees stayed connected to their healthcare professionals with the help of telehealth. That was important because older adults have a higher risk of serious illness or death from a COVID infection.
Before the pandemic, telehealth coverage was primarily limited to Medicare enrollees who lived in rural areas or qualified based on their healthcare professional or medical condition. The care had to be accessed at certain sites, such as at a rural health clinic via an on-camera appointment with a specialist. When COVID hit, telehealth coverage was expanded, giving all enrollees the option to access covered services from home, with or without live video.
During the first year of the pandemic, telehealth use by original Medicare enrollees increased 63-fold — from about 840,000 visits in 2019 to nearly 53 million visits in 2020, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). This happened, in part, because the PHE declared in January 2020 allowed more coverage flexibility for healthcare professionals and consumers.
Some of the measures put in place during that time have been made permanent, while others were guaranteed through September 30, 2025. Changes in federal funding, like during the government shutdown that began on October 1, 2025, determine what benefits are available.
What is telehealth?
Telehealth allows people to connect with healthcare professionals via a computer, tablet, or phone. Medicare Part B (medical insurance) covers three types of telehealth services:
Medicare Advantage plans must at least match original Medicare benefits, but they may also offer more extensive coverage for telehealth services.
What telehealth services are covered by Medicare?
Medicare telehealth benefits depend on where you live. Just as with in-person care, your Medicare plan may not cover services with all healthcare professionals.
Anywhere in the U.S.
Some telehealth services that Medicare covers anywhere in the U.S. are:
Monthly end-stage renal disease visits for home dialysis
Services for diagnosing, evaluating, or treating acute stroke symptoms at any location, including in a mobile stroke unit
Services for diagnosing, evaluating, or treating a mental health and/or behavioral health disorder (including a substance use disorder) at home
Medicare covers some digital health apps. As of January 1, 2025, Medicare began covering certain apps known as digital therapeutics that are used to treat conditions like depression and anxiety.
Telehealth vs. telemedicine: Learn how telehealth, the digital technology that delivers care, is different from telemedicine, or receiving care.
How much does a telehealth visit cost? Without insurance, you could pay $40 to $90 for a virtual visit with a healthcare professional. Learn what factors affect the cost.
In a rural area
If you live in a rural area and go to a medical office that’s also in a rural area, Medicare provides additional telehealth benefits. Covered services may include:
Consultations
Medical nutrition therapy
Psychotherapy
How much of the costs of telehealth does Medicare cover?
If you have original Medicare, telehealth services are covered under Medicare Part B. You typically pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for services after you meet your annual Part B deductible. In 2025, the Part B deductible is $257.
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If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, check with your insurance provider for details about your coverage and out-of-pocket costs. UnitedHealthcare reported that their Medicare Advantage plans will continue to cover telehealth services through 2026.
Current post-pandemic telehealth coverage
As mentioned, Medicare coverage for telehealth was expanded during the COVID PHE. Now that the PHE has ended, some of the expansion measures have been made permanent, while others are still potentially only temporary.
The permanent changes include:
Federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) and rural health clinics (RHCs) can provide behavioral and mental health telehealth services.
Enrollees can receive behavioral and mental health telehealth services from anywhere, including from home.
Rural emergency hospitals can provide telehealth services.
Changes that are potentially temporary include:
All Medicare-approved healthcare professionals can deliver telehealth services.
FQHCs and RHCs can offer many telehealth services, not just behavioral and mental healthcare.
Enrollees can receive a variety of covered telehealth services, not just behavioral and mental health services, from anywhere.
A variety of telehealth services can be delivered without video.
An in-person visit within 6 months of an initial behavioral or mental health telehealth service (and every year thereafter) is not required.
What else should I know about Medicare coverage for telehealth?
Telehealth services may be covered from locations other than your home. For instance, a telehealth visit with your nephrologist while you are at a dialysis center may be covered by Medicare. You may even be required to receive telehealth services at an approved healthcare facility for them to be covered.
In some cases, you can access covered telehealth services on audio-only devices, such as via a phone call.
Do Medigap plans cover costs related to telehealth?
For people with original Medicare, there are a few different kinds of plans that can help cover out-of-pocket costs for telehealth visits:
Medigap, which is Medicare supplement insurance that’s sold by private insurance companies
Retiree insurance, which are group plans provided by former employers or unions
Medicaid, another type of government-sponsored insurance that can be used to cover Medicare deductibles, copays, and coinsurance related to telehealth services if you are dually eligible
How do I find telehealth providers covered by Medicare?
There are a few ways to find healthcare professionals who provide telehealth services that are covered by Medicare:
Ask your current care team members if they offer telehealth options.
Use Medicare’s care compare tool to search for telehealth providers by specialty, practice name, or location.
Contact 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or your Medicare Advantage plan for help finding telehealth providers or networks, such as those available through apps.
Use the HHS’ health center finder to locate a telehealth provider in your area.
Frequently asked questions
Teladoc is covered by some Medicare Advantage plans, according to the telehealth platform’s website. But you may not have coverage if you’re enrolled in original Medicare.
Without insurance, you should expect to pay $40 to $90 for a telehealth visit. You could be charged more if you receive specialized care or services from a specialist.
Most commercial health insurance plans cover at least one form of telehealth.
Teladoc is covered by some Medicare Advantage plans, according to the telehealth platform’s website. But you may not have coverage if you’re enrolled in original Medicare.
Without insurance, you should expect to pay $40 to $90 for a telehealth visit. You could be charged more if you receive specialized care or services from a specialist.
Most commercial health insurance plans cover at least one form of telehealth.
The bottom line
Telehealth provides a way for Medicare and Medicare Advantage enrollees to receive care via a phone, computer, or tablet. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Medicare paid for telehealth services on a limited basis. But telehealth coverage was expanded during the pandemic, thanks in part to changes related to the COVID public health emergency. Some of these measures have been made permanent, while others are potentially temporary.
Why trust our experts?
References
Bipartisan Policy Center. (2023). Medicare telehealth spending estimator.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025). Underlying conditions and the higher risk for severe COVID-19.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2025). Federally qualified health center.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2025). Infectious diseases.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2025). Medicare enrollment dashboard.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2025). Rural emergency hospitals.
Kekatos, M. (2025). Hospitals, health systems stop Medicare telehealth appointments amid government shutdown. ABC News Network.
Medicare.gov. (n.d.). Costs.
Medicare.gov. (n.d.). E-visits.
Medicare.gov. (n.d.). Retiree insurance and Medicare.
Medicare.gov. (n.d.). Telehealth.
Medicare.gov. (n.d.). Virtual check-ins.
Rural Health Information Hub. (2025). Rural health clinics (RHCs).
Samson, L. W., et al. (2021). Medicare beneficiaries’ use of telehealth in 2020: Trends by beneficiary characteristics and location. Office of Health Policy.
Teladoc Health. (n.d.). Medicare.
UnitedHealthcare. (2025). UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage telehealth benefits continue through 2026.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2024). How do I schedule a telehealth appointment?
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2025). Private insurance coverage for telehealth.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2025). Telehealth policy updates.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2025). Why use telehealth?
