Medicare covers virtual doctor visits, but the coverage depends on which part of Medicare you have and what type of visit it is

Medicare Part B covers telehealth visits with doctors, nurse practitioners, and other providers through video or phone. You pay the same copay or coinsurance as you would for an in-person visit — usually 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after you meet your deductible. The provider must be enrolled in Medicare and the visit must be for a medical reason Medicare would cover in person.

Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) also cover virtual visits, but the copay and rules vary by plan. Some plans cover telehealth with no copay or a lower copay than in-person visits. You need to check your specific plan's coverage before booking a visit.

Original Medicare (Part A and B) does not require you to use a specific telehealth platform or app — any video or phone call with a Medicare provider counts. You do not need to be at home or in a particular location, though some providers have their own requirements.

Key Takeaways

  • Medicare Part B covers phone and video visits with enrolled doctors and nurse practitioners at the same cost as in-person visits.
  • You pay your usual copay or 20% coinsurance after your deductible, just as you would for an office visit.
  • Medicare Advantage plans cover telehealth but copays and rules differ by plan, so check your plan documents or call the plan directly.
  • The provider must be enrolled in Medicare for the visit to be covered — not all doctors or clinics accept Medicare for telehealth.
  • Virtual visits work for many common reasons: follow-ups, medication refills, mental health care, and managing chronic conditions.

How to find out what your plan covers

If you have Original Medicare, call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) and ask which providers in your area offer telehealth visits. You can also visit Medicare.gov and use the "Care Provider Search" tool to find doctors near you, then call them directly to ask if they do virtual visits.

If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, call the plan's customer service number on the back of your insurance card. Ask whether telehealth visits are covered, what the copay is, and which providers or platforms the plan works with. Some plans have their own telehealth apps or partner with companies like Teladoc or Doctor on Demand.

Write down the plan's rules before you book — some plans require you to use an in-network provider, while others cover out-of-network visits at a higher cost. A few plans cover telehealth only for certain types of visits, like mental health or urgent care.

What types of visits Medicare covers by phone or video

Medicare covers virtual visits for most of the same reasons it covers office visits: checking on a chronic condition like diabetes or heart disease, getting a prescription refill, discussing test results, managing pain, and mental health counseling. You can have a virtual visit with your primary care doctor, a specialist, a therapist, or a nurse practitioner.

Some visits work better by phone or video than others. A doctor can review your blood pressure log, adjust your blood pressure medication, or talk through your symptoms. They cannot examine you physically, so a virtual visit is not the right choice if you need someone to listen to your heart, check a wound, or feel your abdomen.

If a provider thinks you need an in-person exam, they will tell you and you can schedule an office visit instead. Medicare will cover that office visit under the same terms as any other visit.

What happens if your provider is not enrolled in Medicare

If your doctor does not accept Medicare, Medicare will not pay for the visit, even if it is by phone or video. You would pay the full cost out of pocket. Before booking a virtual visit with any provider, confirm they are enrolled in Medicare.

Some providers are enrolled in Medicare for in-person visits but not for telehealth, or vice versa. Ask the provider's office directly: "Are you enrolled in Medicare for virtual visits?" If they say no, you can ask what they charge and whether you can pay out of pocket, or you can find a Medicare provider who offers telehealth.

Medicare Advantage telehealth benefits vary widely

Some Medicare Advantage plans cover unlimited virtual visits with no copay. Others charge a copay of $10 to $50 per visit. A few plans cover only certain types of telehealth — for example, mental health visits but not routine checkups, or urgent care visits but not follow-ups.

Plans also differ in how they set up telehealth. Some plans have their own app or website where you book visits. Others let you use any Medicare provider. Some plans partner with a specific telehealth company and cover visits through that company only.

Your plan's coverage can change from year to year, so check your plan documents each fall during open enrollment. If your current plan's telehealth coverage does not meet your needs, you can switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan during open enrollment (October 15 to December 7 each year).

How much you pay for a virtual visit

With Original Medicare, you pay the same copay or coinsurance for a telehealth visit as you would for an in-person visit with that provider. If your doctor charges $100 and Medicare approves $80, you pay 20% of $80 ($16) after you meet your Part B deductible. The provider bills Medicare directly, just as they would for an office visit.

If you have not met your deductible for the year, you pay the full approved amount until you do. Once you meet your deductible, you pay 20% of the approved amount for the rest of the year.

With Medicare Advantage, your copay depends on your plan. Check your plan documents or call the plan's customer service number to find out what you will owe before you book the visit.

Telehealth visits during and after emergencies

During a public health emergency (like the COVID-19 pandemic), Medicare temporarily expanded telehealth coverage. Those temporary rules have mostly ended, but some expanded coverage has become permanent. For example, Medicare now covers virtual visits with providers in other states, which was not allowed before.

If you are in an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. A telehealth visit is not a substitute for emergency care. If you are not sure whether you need emergency care, you can call your doctor or a nurse hotline first, and they can advise you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have a telehealth visit if I do not have a computer or smartphone?

Yes. Medicare covers phone visits as well as video visits. Call your doctor's office and ask if they offer phone appointments. You do not need any special technology — a regular phone call counts as a telehealth visit for Medicare purposes.

Do I have to use a specific app or website for a virtual visit?

With Original Medicare, no. Any video call or phone call with a Medicare provider counts. With Medicare Advantage, it depends on your plan. Some plans let you use any provider or app, while others require you to use their app or a specific telehealth company. Check your plan documents or call your plan.

What if my doctor wants to do a virtual visit but I want to go in person?

You can ask for an in-person visit. Your doctor may recommend telehealth because it is convenient for you both, but you have the right to choose. If your doctor will not see you in person for a medical reason that requires an exam, you can find another provider or ask for a referral to a specialist who can see you in person.

Will a telehealth visit show up on my medical record?

Yes. A virtual visit is a regular medical visit and your provider will document it in your medical record just as they would an office visit. Other providers you see can access that record if you give permission.

Can I use telehealth for a second opinion?

Yes. You can have a virtual visit with any Medicare provider to get a second opinion on a diagnosis or treatment plan. Medicare covers it the same way it covers any other visit. The provider does not need to be in your state.