Does Medicare Cover Telehealth Services?

Yes, Medicare covers telehealth services. If you have Traditional Medicare (Part B), you can get medical care from a doctor or other health care provider without having to go to their office. You can use a phone, computer, or tablet to talk to your provider.

Telehealth services include office visits, psychotherapy, consultations, and certain other medical or health services that are provided by an eligible provider who isn't at your location using an interactive 2-way telecommunications system (like real-time audio and video).

During the COVID-19 public health emergency, Medicare expanded telehealth coverage significantly. Many of these flexibilities have been extended through December 31, 2024. This means you can receive telehealth services at any location in the U.S., including your home, and you can use audio-only technology (like a regular telephone) for some services if you don't have access to video.

What Does It Cost?

For most telehealth services, you'll pay the same amount that you would if you got the services in person. This means you'll typically pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for your doctor or other health care provider's services, and the Part B deductible applies.

If you have a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan, it will help cover these out-of-pocket costs. For example, if you have Plan G, it covers the 20% coinsurance after you meet the Part B deductible.

We believe in straight answers, no surprises. When you're dealing with your health, you shouldn't have to guess what's covered or what it's going to cost. You've paid into this system your whole working life. Now it's time to protect what you've earned and make sure you're getting the care you need, whether that's in a doctor's office or from the comfort of your own living room.

The Two Paths: Traditional Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage

When it comes to telehealth, it's important to understand how your coverage works depending on which Medicare path you've chosen. Remember, Medsup vs MA is a rigged comparison; the real choice is Traditional Medicare (A+B) vs Medicare Advantage.

If you choose the Traditional Medicare path, your telehealth coverage is standardized by the federal government. You can see any doctor or provider in the country who accepts Medicare, and they can provide telehealth services to you. If you add a Medigap plan to fill the gaps, that plan will cover its share of the costs, no matter which provider you use.

If you choose the Medicare Advantage path, your telehealth coverage is determined by the private insurance company that runs your plan. While all Advantage plans must cover at least the same telehealth services as Traditional Medicare, many offer additional telehealth benefits. However, you typically must use providers in the plan's network, and your costs (copays or coinsurance) will vary depending on the specific plan you have.

The supplement decision comes AFTER you choose Traditional Medicare - it's a component of the Traditional path, not an alternative to Advantage. Understand the two paths first, then decide; if Traditional, a supplement fills the gaps by law.

Types of Virtual Care Covered

In addition to standard telehealth visits, Medicare also covers other types of virtual care:

• Virtual Check-ins: Brief (5-10 minute) communications with your doctor or certain other practitioners via telephone or other telecommunications device to decide whether an office visit or other service is needed.
• E-Visits: Communication with your doctor or other practitioners using online patient portals.

For both virtual check-ins and e-visits, you must initiate the service, and you must have an established relationship with the provider. The standard Part B deductible and 20% coinsurance apply.