Telehealth

Telehealth

Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance)

 covers certain telehealth services.

Your costs in Original Medicare

You pay 20% of the 

Medicare-approved amount

 for your doctor or other health care provider’s services, and the Part B 

Deductible [glossary]

 applies. For most telehealth services, you'll pay the same amount that you would if you got the services in person.

Note

To find out how much your test, item, or service will cost, talk to your doctor or health care provider. The specific amount you’ll owe may depend on several things, like:

  • Other insurance you may have
  • How much your doctor charges
  • Whether your doctor accepts assignment
  • The type of facility
  • Where you get your test, item, or service

 

What it is

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).

These services are available in rural areas, under certain conditions, but only if you're located at one of these places:

  • A doctor's office
  • A hospital
  • A critical access hospital (CAH)
  • A rural health clinic 
  • A Federally qualified health center
  • A hospital-based dialysis facility
  • A skilled nursing facility
  • A community mental health center

Note

Starting in 2020, Medicare Advantage Plans may offer more telehealth benefits than Original Medicare. These benefits will be available no matter where you’re located, and you can use them at home instead of going to a health care facility. Check with your plan to see what additional telehealth benefits are offered.
Things to know

Medicare made these changes to telehealth in 2019:

  • You can get certain telehealth services at renal dialysis facilities and at home.
  • You can get telehealth services for faster diagnosis, evaluation, or treatment of symptoms of an acute stroke no matter where you're located.
  • If you have a substance use disorder or a co-occurring mental health disorder, you can get telehealth services from home.

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