Medicare now covers a wide range of telehealth services in 2026, and the rules are more flexible than they have ever been. Following the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026, signed into law on February 3, Congress extended all major Medicare telehealth flexibilities through December 31, 2027. That means you can see your doctor, therapist, or specialist from home without worrying about geographic restrictions or whether your visit counts toward your coverage.
This guide explains what Medicare covers, what you pay, who qualifies, and how programs like the Medicare Savings Program can help reduce your out-of-pocket costs.
What Is Medicare Telehealth Coverage?
Telehealth (also called telemedicine) lets you have medical appointments over video call or phone instead of going to a clinic or hospital. Under Medicare, these visits are treated much like in-person appointments for billing purposes. You still pay your Part B cost-sharing, and the provider bills Medicare directly.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Medicare telehealth had strict limits. You had to live in a rural area, and you had to travel to a clinic to get the visit. Those rules are now waived through the end of 2027, and several behavioral health provisions are permanent.
What Services Does Medicare Cover via Telehealth in 2026?
Medicare Part B covers telehealth for a broad list of services. The following table summarizes the main categories.
| Service Category | Coverage Status | Notes |
|---|
| Primary care visits | Covered | Any location, including home |
| Specialist visits | Covered | Cardiology, endocrinology, neurology, and others |
| Mental health therapy | Covered (permanent) | No rural or location requirement |
| Substance use disorder treatment | Covered (permanent) | Includes initial and follow-up visits |
| Physical therapy | Covered through 12/31/2027 | Expanded provider eligibility |
| Occupational therapy | Covered through 12/31/2027 | Expanded provider eligibility |
| Speech-language pathology | Covered through 12/31/2027 | Expanded provider eligibility |
| Audiology | Covered through 12/31/2027 | Expanded provider eligibility |
| Emergency medical consultations | Covered | Subject to medical necessity |
| Nursing facility care | Covered | Providers can conduct visits remotely |
| Acute hospital at home | Covered through 9/30/2030 | Extended in the 2026 spending bill |
| Cardiopulmonary rehabilitation | Covered through 1/1/2028 | In-home delivery authorized |
| Audio-only visits | Covered | When video is not available or patient declines |
Key point on audio-only calls: Medicare allows telephone-only visits for non-behavioral health services when a video connection is not available or when the patient cannot use or declines video technology. For behavioral health services, audio-only visits are also permitted under Medicare's permanent telehealth rules.
Where Can You Receive a Medicare Telehealth Visit?
Before 2020, Medicare required beneficiaries to travel to an approved facility (like a rural clinic or hospital) to have a telehealth visit. That requirement is waived through December 31, 2027.
In 2026, you can receive Medicare telehealth services from:
- Your home
- Any location you choose, regardless of whether you live in a rural or urban area
- Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs)
- Rural Health Clinics (RHCs)
- Other approved healthcare facilities
For behavioral health services like mental health therapy, there is no location requirement at all. These rules are permanent under current law.
Who Can Provide Medicare Telehealth Services?
Any Medicare-enrolled provider who is authorized to bill for an in-person service can also bill for telehealth. That includes:
- Physicians (MDs and DOs)
- Nurse practitioners
- Physician assistants
- Clinical nurse specialists
- Certified nurse midwives
- Clinical psychologists
- Clinical social workers
- Marriage and family therapists (recognized since January 1, 2024)
- Mental health counselors (recognized since January 1, 2024)
- Physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists
- Audiologists
The provider must be licensed in the state where the patient is located at the time of the visit, not where the provider's office is physically located. Some states have joined interstate compacts that simplify multi-state practice, but the general rule is that state licensure applies at the patient's location.
What Does Medicare Telehealth Cost in 2026?
Medicare telehealth cost-sharing works the same as in-person visits. Under Original Medicare (Part A and Part B):
| Cost Type | Amount |
|---|
| Part B deductible (2026) | $257 per year |
| Cost-sharing after deductible | 20% of the Medicare-approved amount |
| Part B premium (standard, 2026) | $185.00 per month |
So if your doctor charges $150 for a telehealth visit and Medicare approves that amount, you would pay $30 (20% of $150) after meeting your deductible.
Medicare Advantage plans often cover telehealth at lower cost-sharing than Original Medicare. Many Advantage plans charge a flat copay (for example, $10 or $15 per telehealth visit) instead of 20% coinsurance. Check your plan's evidence of coverage document for your specific telehealth cost-sharing.
How Medicare Savings Programs Reduce Telehealth Costs
If your income is limited, you may qualify for a Medicare Savings Program (MSP). These state-administered programs pay some or all of your Medicare cost-sharing, which directly reduces what you pay for telehealth visits.
There are four types of Medicare Savings Programs. Here are the 2026 income limits for most states (Alaska and Hawaii have higher limits):
| Program | Who It Helps | Monthly Income Limit (Individual) | Monthly Income Limit (Couple) | What It Pays |
|---|
| Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) | Lowest income | $1,350 | $1,824 | Part A and B premiums, deductibles, and cost-sharing |
| Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) | Low income | $1,616 | $2,184 | Part B premium only |
| Qualifying Individual (QI) | Slightly higher income | $1,816 | $2,455 | Part B premium only |
| Qualified Disabled and Working Individuals (QDWI) | Working disabled | Varies by state | Varies by state | Part A premium only |
Asset limits (2026): Most MSP programs also have resource limits. For 2026, the standard limit is $9,950 for a single person and $14,910 for a couple. Your home, one car, and personal belongings typically do not count toward this limit.
If you qualify for QMB, providers are not allowed to bill you for Medicare cost-sharing on covered services, including telehealth visits. That means your telehealth copay or coinsurance could be $0.
To apply for a Medicare Savings Program, contact your state Medicaid office. You can also use the Benefits Navigator screener to check which programs you may qualify for based on your income and household size.
Medicare Advantage and Telehealth
Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans are required to cover all services that Original Medicare covers, including telehealth. Many Advantage plans go further and offer additional telehealth benefits that Original Medicare does not, such as:
- 24/7 nurse hotlines
- Urgent care telehealth with lower copays
- Mental health telehealth with no additional cost-sharing
- Remote patient monitoring for chronic conditions
If you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, review your plan's Summary of Benefits or call the plan directly to understand your telehealth options. Telehealth benefits can vary significantly between plans.
How to Schedule a Medicare Telehealth Visit
Scheduling a telehealth visit with Medicare works similarly to booking an in-person appointment.
Step 1: Confirm your provider accepts Medicare telehealth. Not all providers offer telehealth, even though Medicare covers it. Call your doctor's office and ask if they offer video or phone visits billed to Medicare.
Step 2: Check your technology setup. For a video visit, you need a smartphone, tablet, or computer with a camera and microphone, plus a reliable internet connection. If you cannot use video, ask about audio-only options.
Step 3: Schedule the appointment. Tell the scheduling staff you want a telehealth visit. They will send you a link or phone number to use at the time of your appointment.
Step 4: Complete any required consent forms. Many providers ask you to sign a telehealth consent form before your first remote visit.
Step 5: Test your technology beforehand. Log in or dial in a few minutes early to make sure your audio and video are working.
Step 6: Have your insurance information ready. Bring your Medicare card number (or Medicare Advantage plan card) and any supplemental insurance information.
Step 7: Follow up on any prescriptions or referrals. After the visit, your provider can send prescriptions directly to your pharmacy. Referrals to specialists can also be handled remotely.
Mental Health Telehealth: Permanent Rules
Mental health telehealth deserves special attention because the rules are now permanent, not subject to renewal by Congress.
Under current law, Medicare beneficiaries can receive mental health services via telehealth from any location, including home, without geographic restrictions. Services covered include:
- Individual therapy
- Group therapy
- Family therapy
- Psychiatric evaluations
- Medication management with psychiatrists
- Substance use disorder treatment
Marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors became eligible Medicare telehealth providers on January 1, 2024. That expanded the number of providers who can see Medicare patients remotely.
There is one note regarding mental health telehealth: for new patients starting mental health care via telehealth, an initial in-person visit within the first year of treatment is technically required under current law for some providers. Ask your specific provider whether this applies to your situation, as policies can vary.
What Is NOT Covered by Medicare Telehealth
Not every service can be delivered via telehealth. Medicare generally does not cover:
- Physical exams requiring hands-on assessment (although evaluation and management visits are covered)
- Most dental services (Medicare does not cover dental care in general)
- Routine vision exams or eyeglasses
- Cosmetic procedures
- Services that are not on the Medicare telehealth services list
When in doubt, ask your provider whether a specific service is covered before your appointment to avoid an unexpected bill.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Medicare cover telehealth in 2026?
Yes. Congress extended all major Medicare telehealth flexibilities through December 31, 2027, under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026, signed on February 3, 2026. You can receive most covered services from home, regardless of where you live.
What does a Medicare telehealth visit cost?
Under Original Medicare, you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after meeting the $257 annual Part B deductible. If you have a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan, it may cover some or all of that 20%. Medicare Advantage plans often charge a flat copay per telehealth visit.
Can I do a Medicare telehealth visit by phone only?
Yes. Medicare allows audio-only (phone) visits when video technology is not available or when you decline to use video. This applies to both behavioral and non-behavioral health services.
Does Medicare cover mental health telehealth?
Yes, and the coverage is permanent. Medicare covers therapy, psychiatric evaluations, and substance use disorder treatment via telehealth from any location, with no rural or facility requirement. You do not need to drive to a clinic for mental health telehealth visits.
Can I see any doctor via telehealth, or only my primary care physician?
You can see any Medicare-enrolled provider who offers telehealth, including primary care doctors, specialists, therapists, and others. The provider must be licensed in the state where you are located at the time of the visit.
Do I need special technology for Medicare telehealth?
For video visits, you need a device with a camera and microphone (smartphone, tablet, or computer) and internet access. If you cannot use video, ask about audio-only visits. Your provider's office can usually help you troubleshoot technology issues before your appointment.
Will Medicare Advantage cover more telehealth than Original Medicare?
Often, yes. Medicare Advantage plans are required to cover everything Original Medicare covers, but many plans add extra telehealth benefits like 24/7 nurse lines and lower cost-sharing for remote visits. Check your specific plan documents or call your plan to confirm.
How do I apply for a Medicare Savings Program to reduce my telehealth costs?
Contact your state Medicaid office to apply. You can also use the Benefits Navigator screener to check your eligibility and find the right program based on your income and household situation.
Are telehealth services covered at Rural Health Clinics and FQHCs?
Yes. Under the 2026 extensions, Federally Qualified Health Centers and Rural Health Clinics are authorized as distant-site telehealth providers. Patients of these facilities can receive telehealth services billed through their clinic.
How long will these telehealth rules last?
The current extensions run through December 31, 2027. Mental health telehealth rules are permanent. Healthcare advocacy groups continue to push for legislation that would make the other flexibilities permanent as well.
