Telehealth, sometimes called telemedicine, is a doctor visit you do by phone or video. Medicare expanded telehealth a lot during the pandemic. Some of those rules became permanent. Others are still being worked out. Here is what Medicare telehealth looks like in 2026 and how to use it.
What is Medicare telehealth?
Telehealth is a doctor or specialist visit done remotely through phone, video, or a secure app. You can see your provider from your kitchen table instead of driving to the office. The doctor can review symptoms, adjust prescriptions, talk through test results, or follow up on a chronic condition.
Medicare covers many telehealth services under Part B. You usually pay the same coinsurance you would for an in-person visit (20% after your Part B deductible). If you have a Medigap plan, the supplement covers most or all of that.
What kinds of telehealth visits does Medicare cover?
The list is long and has grown a lot in recent years. Some of the most common covered telehealth services:
- Office visits with your primary care doctor
- Specialist visits (cardiology, dermatology, neurology, and many others)
- Mental health and behavioral health visits
- Substance use disorder counseling
- Chronic care management
- Annual wellness visits
- Diabetes self-management training
- Nutrition counseling
- Some preventive screenings and counseling visits
Where can you do a telehealth visit?
One of the biggest changes from the pandemic. Before, Medicare mostly only paid for telehealth if you were in a doctor's office in a rural area. That was the old rule for years.
As of 2026, you can do most telehealth visits from your own home, no matter where you live. You do not have to be in a rural area. You do not have to be at a specific medical facility. You can be on your couch.
This rule was originally a pandemic-era change. Congress has extended it several times. For mental health services, the rule is permanent. For other services, the rule is currently extended through the end of 2026. Watch for updates from Congress on whether it gets renewed again.
Mental health telehealth is permanent
One thing is settled. Medicare permanently covers mental health and substance use disorder services by telehealth, including from your home. You can have a video appointment with a psychiatrist, a therapist, or a counselor without leaving the house.
The only requirement is that you need an in-person visit within 6 months before starting telehealth mental health care, and at least once every 12 months after, with some exceptions. For details, see our guide to Medicare mental health coverage.
What do you need for a telehealth visit?
For most visits, you need:
- A device with a camera and a microphone (smartphone, tablet, or computer)
- A reliable internet connection or cellular service
- A private place to talk
- The app or link your doctor's office uses (Zoom, Doxy.me, an EHR portal, etc.)
Some telehealth visits can be audio-only, especially for older adults who may not have a smartphone or who are not comfortable with video. Medicare covers some audio-only services, including most behavioral health visits. Ask your doctor's office if they offer audio-only as an option.
What does a telehealth visit cost?
Under Original Medicare, a telehealth visit costs the same as an in-person visit. Part B pays 80% after your annual deductible. You pay 20%. If you have a Medigap plan (like Plan G or Plan N), the supplement covers most of that 20%.
Medicare Advantage plans set their own telehealth copays. Many plans offer $0 or very low copays for telehealth as a way to encourage use. Check your plan's Evidence of Coverage to see your specific cost.
Common questions about telehealth
Can my doctor prescribe medications by telehealth?
Yes, for most medications. Controlled substances (like opioids or some ADHD drugs) have additional rules. The DEA and Medicare have been working through what is allowed, and the rules have shifted a few times. If you take a controlled substance, ask your prescriber what is required for telehealth.
Can I do telehealth from another state?
It depends. Your doctor needs to be licensed in the state where you are physically located at the time of the visit. If you travel a lot, talk to your provider before assuming a video visit from out of state will be billable.
What if I do not have internet at home?
Some Medicare Advantage plans now include benefits that help with internet costs or provide low-cost devices. Many local libraries also offer free private rooms with internet that you can use for a telehealth visit. Audio-only visits over a regular phone line are also an option for some services.
Is telehealth as good as an in-person visit?
For follow-ups, medication adjustments, mental health, and chronic care management, telehealth often works just as well as an in-person visit. For new or complicated problems where the doctor needs to examine you physically (a strange lump, a heart issue, an injury), in-person is still better. Ask your doctor which type fits your situation.
The bottom line
Medicare telehealth is here to stay, especially for mental health. For most other services, telehealth from home is currently covered through the end of 2026, with Congress likely to extend it again. If you have not used a video visit yet, ask your doctor about it for your next non-urgent follow-up. It can save you a drive, a parking fee, and an hour of waiting in a lobby.