The question “does Medicare cover telehealth visits” has become increasingly important as virtual healthcare becomes a permanent part of American medicine. The answer in 2026 is yes, but with specific rules, limitations, and cost-sharing requirements that every beneficiary should understand. After the massive expansion of telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress has taken steps to preserve many of these flexibilities, though coverage is not unlimited. Here is a clear breakdown of what Medicare covers for telehealth in 2026 and what does Medicare cover telehealth visits actually means in practice.
For a comprehensive look at virtual care options, visit our telehealth guide.
A Brief History of Medicare and Telehealth
Before 2020, Medicare telehealth coverage was extremely limited. It was restricted to beneficiaries in rural areas, required the patient to be at a qualified medical facility (not at home), and covered only a narrow list of services. The COVID-19 public health emergency changed everything. Through emergency waivers, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) expanded telehealth coverage to all Medicare beneficiaries regardless of location, allowed services from the patient’s home, added hundreds of eligible services, and waived geographic restrictions.
When the public health emergency ended in May 2023, Congress passed legislation to extend many of these telehealth flexibilities through the end of 2024. Subsequent legislative action, including provisions in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, has continued to extend key telehealth provisions into 2025 and 2026. The current policy landscape reflects a commitment to keeping telehealth accessible, though permanent legislation remains a work in progress.
What Telehealth Services Does Medicare Cover in 2026?
As of 2026, Medicare covers a broad range of telehealth services. These fall into several categories.
Medicare Part B Telehealth Services
Medicare Part B covers outpatient telehealth visits with eligible providers, including evaluation and management visits (office visits conducted virtually), mental and behavioral health services (therapy, psychiatric evaluations, medication management), chronic care management, remote patient monitoring, annual wellness visits, follow-up visits for established patients, and certain specialist consultations. The CMS maintains an official list of telehealth-eligible services that is updated periodically. In 2026, this list includes over 250 service codes, a significant expansion from the pre-pandemic list of approximately 100.
Audio-Only Telehealth
One important provision that has been extended is coverage for audio-only (telephone) telehealth visits. This is particularly valuable for older adults and those in underserved areas who may not have reliable internet or comfort with video technology. Audio-only visits are covered for mental health services and certain evaluation and management services, with the same cost-sharing as in-person visits.
Mental Health Telehealth
Medicare has been especially supportive of telehealth for mental health services. Therapy sessions, psychiatric consultations, and substance use disorder treatment are all covered via telehealth. However, there is a requirement that patients receiving mental health services via telehealth must have an in-person visit with the provider within the first six months and at least once every 12 months thereafter. The CMS has noted that this in-person requirement may be waived if the provider and patient agree that in-person care is not feasible.
Remote Patient Monitoring
Medicare covers remote patient monitoring (RPM) services, which involve the use of digital devices to collect and transmit health data (blood pressure, blood glucose, weight, oxygen saturation) to a healthcare provider. RPM is particularly useful for managing chronic conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and heart failure. Coverage includes the cost of device setup, patient education, and monthly monitoring by the provider’s clinical team.
What Medicare Does Not Cover for Telehealth
Despite the expansions, there are still limitations. Medicare does not cover telehealth visits with providers who are not enrolled in Medicare. Not all service types are eligible for telehealth delivery; some services require physical examination or hands-on procedures. Telehealth visits with out-of-state providers may be restricted depending on state licensing laws. Weight loss medications (like Wegovy and Zepbound) prescribed via telehealth are generally not covered under Medicare Part D, regardless of the visit format. Cosmetic consultations and elective procedures are excluded.
Additionally, Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans may have their own telehealth policies that differ from Original Medicare. Many Medicare Advantage plans have expanded telehealth benefits as a value-add, sometimes covering services not included in Original Medicare. Check your specific plan for details.
Cost-Sharing for Medicare Telehealth Visits
The cost-sharing structure for telehealth visits mirrors that of in-person visits under Medicare. For Original Medicare (Parts A and B), you typically pay 20 percent of the Medicare-approved amount after meeting the annual Part B deductible ($257 in 2026). The provider receives the remaining 80 percent from Medicare. If you have a Medigap (supplemental) policy, it may cover some or all of the 20 percent coinsurance.
For Medicare Advantage plans, cost-sharing varies by plan. Many plans offer $0 or low-copay telehealth visits, sometimes lower than in-person visit copays, as an incentive to use virtual care. Review your plan’s Summary of Benefits to confirm telehealth-specific costs.
Where Can You Receive Medicare Telehealth Services?
One of the most significant pandemic-era changes that has been preserved is the ability to receive telehealth services from your home. Before COVID-19, Medicare required patients to be at a qualified originating site (such as a clinic or hospital) in a rural area. Under current policy, beneficiaries can receive telehealth services from any location, including their home, regardless of whether they live in a rural or urban area.
This flexibility has been critical for beneficiaries with mobility limitations, transportation challenges, or those managing chronic conditions that make frequent office visits burdensome. The CMS has indicated its intention to make home-based telehealth a permanent feature of Medicare, though this depends on Congressional action.
Eligible Providers for Medicare Telehealth
Medicare covers telehealth visits with a range of provider types, including physicians (MDs and DOs), nurse practitioners, physician assistants, clinical psychologists, licensed clinical social workers, registered dietitians, certified nurse midwives, and certain specialists. The provider must be enrolled in Medicare and licensed in the state where the patient is located at the time of the visit. Some states have adopted interstate licensure compacts that make cross-state telehealth easier, but coverage ultimately depends on the provider’s Medicare enrollment status.
How to Access Medicare Telehealth Visits
Getting started with Medicare telehealth is straightforward. Contact your existing healthcare provider to ask if they offer telehealth visits. Many primary care physicians, specialists, and mental health providers now offer virtual appointments as standard practice. If your current provider does not offer telehealth, platforms like Teladoc, Amwell, and MDLIVE accept Medicare for eligible services. Verify Medicare acceptance before scheduling by asking the platform or provider directly. You will need your Medicare ID number and may need to complete a patient portal registration. For more on how different telehealth platforms compare, see our Medicare telehealth coverage article and our guide to telehealth platforms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to have been to the doctor in person before using telehealth with Medicare?
For most services, no. Medicare does not require a prior in-person visit for general telehealth services. The exception is mental health services, where an in-person visit is required within the first six months of starting telehealth-based mental health care and at least annually thereafter, unless waived by the provider.
Does Medicare cover telehealth for urgent care situations?
Yes. Medicare covers telehealth for urgent but non-emergency medical needs, such as infections, rashes, minor injuries, and prescription refills. These are often the same types of visits available through telehealth urgent care platforms. For true emergencies, always call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
Will Medicare continue to cover telehealth after 2026?
The current telehealth expansions are based on temporary legislative extensions. Bipartisan support for making telehealth coverage permanent is strong, and several bills have been introduced to codify these provisions into permanent Medicare law. However, until permanent legislation passes, coverage depends on periodic Congressional renewals. Stay updated through the CMS website.
Does Medicare Advantage cover more telehealth than Original Medicare?
Many Medicare Advantage plans offer supplemental telehealth benefits beyond what Original Medicare covers. These may include $0 copay virtual visits, expanded provider networks, 24/7 telehealth access, and additional covered services. Compare plans during open enrollment to find the best telehealth coverage for your needs.
Can I use telehealth for Medicare Annual Wellness Visits?
Yes. The Annual Wellness Visit (AWV), which is covered at no cost to Medicare beneficiaries, can be conducted via telehealth. This preventive visit includes a health risk assessment, review of medical history, and development of a personalized prevention plan. Completing your AWV via telehealth is a convenient way to stay current with preventive care.
Making the Most of Medicare Telehealth
Medicare telehealth coverage in 2026 offers beneficiaries meaningful access to virtual care across a wide range of services. To take full advantage, confirm that your providers offer telehealth and accept Medicare, understand your cost-sharing obligations, keep track of mental health in-person visit requirements if applicable, and explore Medicare Advantage plans during open enrollment if expanded telehealth coverage is a priority. Telehealth is no longer a temporary workaround but an established component of healthcare delivery. For more on navigating virtual care, explore our telehealth guide.