Medicare.gov

Telehealth

Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers certain telehealth services

  • Covered by Part B

  • After the Part B deductible , you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount

Description

Telehealth includes medical or health services that you get from your health care provider who's located somewhere else (in the U.S.) using audio and video communications technology (or audio-only services in some cases), like through your phone or a computer. Telehealth can provide many services that generally occur in-person, including office visits, psychotherapy, consultations, and certain other medical or health services.

Coverage details

Medicare covers a limited number of telehealth services that you can get from anywhere in the U.S., including your home. These services include:

  • Monthly End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) visits for home dialysis
  • Services for diagnosis, evaluation, or treatment of symptoms of an acute stroke wherever you are, including in a mobile stroke unit
  • Services for the diagnosis, evaluation, or treatment of a mental and/or behavioral health disorder (including a substance use disorder) in your home

Medicare covers more telehealth services if you live in a rural area and you go to an office or medical facility that’s also in a rural area (in the U.S.) for your telehealth visit. 

For example, you might live in a small town in Oklahoma and qualify to get medical nutrition therapy services, but the registered dietician who gives you the services is in Oklahoma City. You might be able to go to your primary care doctor's office that's closer to your home and meet virtually with your registered dietician via telehealth from there.

Costs

After you meet the Part B deductible , you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for your doctor or other health care provider's services.

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

Facility

You must be in an office or medical facility located in a rural area (in the U.S.) for most telehealth services.

Medicare Advantage Plans and some providers in Original Medicare may offer more telehealth benefits than the basic coverage in Original Medicare. For example, you may be able to get some services from home, no matter where you live. If your provider in Original Medicare participates in an Accountable Care Organization (ACO), check with them to find out what telehealth benefits may be available.