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 aren't. Original Medicare continues to cover many telehealth services, including audio-only visits, through December 31, 2027.
Medicare provides health insurance to more than 70 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 through 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.
Search and compare options
Original Medicare continues to cover many telehealth services, including audio-only visits, through December 31, 2027. Covered visits can happen via a patient portal or other technology such as a smartphone or tablet.
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. These private plans may provide additional telehealth benefits. Check your Medicare Advantage plan materials, use your online member portal, or call the phone number on your insurance card to find out what telehealth options are available to you.
What telehealth services are covered by Medicare?
Before the COVID pandemic, original Medicare enrollees could typically receive telehealth services only if they lived in a rural area or traveled to an approved facility. Telehealth access expanded during the pandemic, and those changes have been extended several times since.
Telehealth services covered by original Medicare include:
Cardiac rehabilitation services
Caregiver training services
Cognitive assessments
Depression screenings
Diabetes self-management training
Medical nutrition therapy services
Office visits
Outpatient psychotherapy
Speech therapy
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 2026, the Part B deductible is $283.
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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.
Current post-pandemic telehealth coverage
As mentioned, Medicare coverage for telehealth was expanded during the COVID PHE. Now that the PHE has ended, many of the expansion measures have been made permanent.
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.
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.
Medicare’s online care location and comparison tool can help you find healthcare professionals who provide telehealth services. You can search by ZIP code, city, or state and filter results to show telehealth options.
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, but only picks up costs for original Medicare enrollees
Retiree insurance, which are group plans provided by former employers or unions
Medicaid, another type of government-sponsored insurance, 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 location and comparison tool to search for healthcare professionals who provide telehealth by specialty, practice name, or location.
Contact 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or your Medicare Advantage plan for help finding telehealth care, such as those available through apps or patient portals.
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 health insurance plans cover some form of telehealth, but your out-of-pocket costs and required platform may vary based on your coverage.
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 health insurance plans cover some form of telehealth, but your out-of-pocket costs and required platform may vary based on your coverage.
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. Many of these avenues to telehealth access have been made permanent through at least December 31, 2027.
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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.
Cottrill, A., et al. (2026). What to know about Medicare coverage of telehealth. KFF.
Medicare.gov. (n.d.). Costs.
Medicare.gov. (n.d.). E-visits.
Medicare.gov. (2026). Find & compare providers near you. U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
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.
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). Telehealth policy updates.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2025). Why use telehealth?
