It may not always be possible for you to see your doctor in person. If you have a highly infectious disease or are unable to leave your home due to a condition, you may need to see a healthcare provider virtually. Telehealth services allow you to talk to a healthcare professional using video calls, phone calls, messaging, or another form of digital communication.
Medicare helps pay for a wide range of telehealth services, and coverage is currently broader than ever. Read on to learn about Medicare eligibility for telehealth, which services are covered, how audio-only visits work, and how much you'll pay.
Key takeaways:
Telehealth services include care received over the phone or via a video call.
Through December 31, 2027, Medicare covers telehealth services you can receive from anywhere in the U.S.—including your home—regardless of whether you live in a rural or urban area.
Audio-only (phone) telehealth visits are covered by Medicare through December 31, 2027 for most services when you're at home.
After December 31, 2027, some restrictions may return unless Congress acts again.
What is telehealth under Medicare?
Telehealth services are medical services conducted using the phone, video, or other digital communication technologies to see a healthcare provider remotely. Many healthcare-related services can be performed virtually, including medical consultations, monitoring, education, and therapy.
Benefits and drawbacks of telehealth
Seeing your healthcare provider in a remote setting can be beneficial in situations where you don't need to be in-person, like for routine check-ups, follow-up appointments, and therapy. Virtual appointments can also be helpful for people who are unable to physically visit a provider in person due to a health condition.
Wait times and traveling to appointments can be exhausting—telehealth services are a convenient way to see your doctor and save some time. Additionally, telehealth services improve access to healthcare, especially if you live in remote or underserved areas.
On the other hand, telehealth services aren't the best way to treat a condition if your doctor isn't familiar with your symptoms and needs to see them in-person. Remote visitations are also not the best option if you need medical treatment on the same day.
Medicare eligibility for telehealth services
Through December 31, 2027, Medicare has removed most geographic restrictions for telehealth. That means you can receive covered telehealth services from your home or any other location in the United States—whether you live in a city or a rural area.
This is a significant expansion from the pre-pandemic rules, which largely limited telehealth coverage to beneficiaries in rural areas who had to visit a medical facility to receive remote care. For now, those restrictions are on hold.
Some telehealth benefits have been made permanent regardless of what happens after 2027, including:
Behavioral health services and therapy (no geographic restrictions, permanently)
Monthly End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) visits for at-home dialysis
Remote services for diagnosis, evaluation, or treatment of an acute stroke
Services to treat addiction and substance abuse
What telehealth services are covered by Medicare?
There are a number of telehealth services that Medicare covers. We've listed the most common services, but it isn't comprehensive. Check with your insurance provider or healthcare provider to see if Medicare covers a telehealth service you need.
Speech and hearing therapy
Behavioral health services and therapy
Psychotherapy
Office visits
Patient education services
Mental health screenings
Services to manage chronic conditions
Can you use the phone (audio-only) for Medicare telehealth?
Yes—and this is an important update. Through December 31, 2027, Medicare covers audio-only (phone) telehealth visits for most services when you're receiving care at home. You don't need a computer, tablet, or video capability to access telehealth under Original Medicare during this time.
Audio-only visits are especially helpful for beneficiaries who aren't comfortable with video technology or don't have reliable internet access. Even after 2027, audio-only platforms will remain permanently available for behavioral health services.
How does Medicare cover telehealth services?
In most cases, Medicare treats telehealth services the same as in-person doctor appointments. You'll pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for the remote visit after you meet your Part B deductible.
Here's how your costs will work if your provider charged $100 for a telehealth visit. If you haven't met your annual Part B deductible, you'll owe 100% of the costs until you do. If you have met your Part B deductible for the year, you'll owe $20 (20% of $100).
A Medicare Supplement plan can help you cover Medicare's out-of-pocket costs.
Telehealth services and Medicare Advantage
Some Medicare Advantage plans offer more telehealth benefits than Original Medicare. You could get remote doctor visits covered no matter where you live, and you may get them covered for a virtual visit from home. Keep in mind that Medicare Advantage plans don't have standard out-of-pocket costs in the way that Original Medicare does. That means you may have to pay a different out-of-pocket cost for telehealth services depending on your plan. Check your plan's summary of benefits to see what expenses you'd be responsible for.
Frequently asked questions about Medicare telehealth
Can I do telehealth from home with Medicare?
Yes. Through December 31, 2027, Original Medicare covers telehealth services received from your home, regardless of whether you live in a rural or urban area. You don't need to travel to a medical facility to access most telehealth services during this period.
Does Medicare cover phone calls with doctors?
Yes. Through December 31, 2027, Medicare covers audio-only (phone) telehealth visits for most services when you're at home. You don't need video technology to access telehealth care under Original Medicare.
What happens to Medicare telehealth coverage after 2027?
After December 31, 2027, some restrictions may return unless Congress extends the current rules again. For example, geographic restrictions and originating site requirements could come back for most non-behavioral health services. Some benefits—like telehealth for behavioral health care and ESRD—have been made permanent. It's worth keeping an eye on any legislative updates as 2027 approaches.
Do I need to see a doctor in person before starting telehealth therapy?
Not right now. Through December 31, 2027, you can begin telehealth therapy or mental health counseling without an in-person visit first. After 2027, an in-person visit requirement may apply for behavioral health services unless Congress acts.
Understanding your Medicare plan
Telehealth services are helpful for many people to receive the healthcare they need. If you're worried about what you may have to pay for seeing a provider remotely, a licensed Medicare Advisor can walk you through how Medicare helps in your situation. A Medicare Advisor can also help you understand other care options in case you have questions about what's covered. Call us today at 855-900-2427, or schedule an appointment to get the most out of your Medicare benefits.
Sources
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2026). Telehealth FAQ. https://www.cms.gov/files/document/telehealth-faq-updated-02-26-2026.pdf
Medicare.gov. (2025). Telehealth. https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/telehealth
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. (2026). Telehealth Policy Updates. https://telehealth.hhs.gov/providers/telehealth-policy/telehealth-policy-updates
KFF. (2025). What to Know About Medicare Coverage of Telehealth. https://www.kff.org/medicare/what-to-know-about-medicare-coverage-of-telehealth/
Medicare Interactive. (2024). Medicare Coverage of Telehealth Services. https://www.medicareinteractive.org/understanding-medicare/medicare-covered-services/medicare-coverage-overview/medicare-coverage-of-telehealth-services
MedicareResources.org. (2026). Does Medicare Cover Telehealth? https://www.medicareresources.org/faqs/does-medicare-cover-telehealth/
This article was last updated on March 13, 2026
