What is telehealth?
Telehealth includes certain services that you receive from a health care provider outside of an in-person office visit. A telehealth service is a full visit with a provider using telephone or video technology that allows for both audio and video communication.
Examples of Medicare-covered telehealth benefits include:
- Lab test or x-ray result consultations
- Post-surgical follow-up
- Prescription management
- Preventive health screenings
- Urgent care issues like colds, coughs, and stomach aches
- Mental health treatment, including online therapy and counseling
- Treatment of recurring conditions, like migraines or urinary tract infections
- Treatment of skin conditions
Ask your doctor about telehealth options and whether it is suitable for your health care needs.
Virtual check-in vs. Telehealth visit
Virtual check-ins allow you to communicate with your doctor through audio and video communication technology or by sending photo or video images for remote assessment. Your doctor can respond by phone, secure text messaging, email, or use of a patient portal. Unlike a telehealth visit, a virtual check-in is not a full appointment.
Expanded coverage
In the past, Medicare’s coverage of telehealth was very limited. During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE), however, telehealth coverage was temporarily expanded to allow more people to get care from their homes. These flexibilities have been extended through December 31, 2027. Until then, telehealth services are:
Covered for all beneficiaries in any geographic area, at home in addition to health care settings
- In the past only Medicare beneficiaries in rural areas could access telehealth
Generally provided via an interactive, two-way audio and video technology
- Limited services can be provided using audio only (like behavioral health care services, counseling and therapy from an opioid treatment program, or patient evaluation and management)
Provided by any health care professional that is eligible to bill Medicare
- You can get covered telehealth from a broader range of providers
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Disclaimer
This content was created and copyrighted by Medicare Rights Center ©2026. Medicare Rights Center is a national, nonprofit consumer service organization that works to ensure access to affordable health care for older adults and people with disabilities. These material are presented here with support from American Senior Resources (ASR) and may not be distributed, modified or edited without Medicare Rights’ consent.