Medicare covers telehealth visits in 2025, but the scope depends on your plan type and the kind of visit you need

Medicare Part B (Original Medicare) pays for telehealth visits with doctors, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and mental health counselors — but only if you meet specific conditions. You must be an established patient (seen by that provider in person within the past three years), the visit must be for a condition that can be treated remotely, and your provider must be enrolled in Medicare. The payment rate is the same as an in-person visit to the doctor's office.

Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) also cover telehealth, but each plan sets its own rules about which providers you can see, how many visits are included, and whether there are copays. Some plans offer unlimited telehealth visits at no cost; others charge a copay per visit or limit you to certain networks. You need to check your specific plan's coverage details, which are in your plan documents or on your plan's website.

Telehealth coverage expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic and has largely stayed in place, though Congress votes periodically on whether to continue it. The current rules are expected to remain through 2025, but the landscape can shift if new legislation passes.

Key Takeaways

  • Original Medicare Part B covers telehealth visits at the same rate as office visits, as long as you are an established patient and your provider is Medicare-enrolled.
  • Medicare Advantage plans cover telehealth but set their own rules — some offer it free, others charge copays, and coverage varies by plan.
  • You can use video, phone, or store-and-forward (where you send images or records and the doctor reviews them later) depending on what your provider and plan support.
  • Telehealth is not covered for all conditions — your provider must determine that your visit can safely happen remotely.

How telehealth works under Original Medicare Part B

If you have Original Medicare, you can have a telehealth visit by video or phone with a Medicare-enrolled provider. The provider's office will give you instructions on how to join — usually through a video platform, a phone call, or sometimes a patient portal. You do not need special equipment; a smartphone, tablet, or computer with internet access is enough.

You pay the same copay or coinsurance as you would for an in-person visit. If you have not met your deductible for the year, you pay the full cost of the visit until you do. If you have a Medigap or other supplemental plan, it may help cover your share of the cost, just as it would for an office visit.

The main limitation is that you must be an established patient — meaning you have seen that specific provider in person within the last three years. New patients cannot start with a telehealth-only visit under Original Medicare rules. If you are new to a provider, you typically need an in-person visit first.

Telehealth coverage in Medicare Advantage plans

Medicare Advantage plans are required by law to cover at least as much as Original Medicare does, but many go further. Some plans offer unlimited telehealth visits with no copay, while others charge a small copay (often $0 to $50 per visit) or limit the number of visits per year. A few plans include telehealth-only providers — doctors who work only by video or phone and are not in a physical office.

The network rules also differ. Some Advantage plans let you see any Medicare-enrolled provider by telehealth, even if they are out of network. Others require you to use in-network providers only. Check your plan's provider directory or call the plan's customer service number (on the back of your card) to find out which telehealth options are available to you.

Advantage plans may also cover telehealth for new patients, unlike Original Medicare. If you are new to a plan or new to a provider, ask the plan directly whether a telehealth-only first visit is an option.

Types of telehealth Medicare covers

Medicare recognizes three forms of telehealth. Video visits are the most common — you and your doctor see each other on screen. Phone visits are covered for any condition that can be treated by phone; you do not need video capability. Store-and-forward is less common but available: you send images, test results, or recordings to your provider, and they review them and send back a response, usually within 24 hours. This works well for skin conditions, wound checks, or follow-ups on test results.

Not all providers offer all three types. Ask your doctor's office which options they support before your visit. If you prefer video but your provider only does phone, you can ask whether they can switch, though they are not required to.

Conditions Medicare telehealth can and cannot cover

Telehealth works for many common visits: follow-ups on chronic conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure, mental health counseling, medication refills, lab result reviews, and management of minor acute illnesses. Your provider decides whether your specific condition is safe to handle remotely.

Telehealth is not covered for visits that require a physical exam — such as a full physical, a pelvic exam, or a skin biopsy. If your doctor thinks you need to be seen in person, they will tell you and schedule an office visit instead. Some conditions start as a telehealth visit and then require an in-person follow-up.

Mental health and behavioral health visits are among the most commonly covered telehealth services. If you see a psychiatrist, psychologist, clinical social worker, or counselor enrolled in Medicare, telehealth is usually an option.

How to find a telehealth provider on Medicare

Start by contacting your current doctor's office and asking whether they offer telehealth. If they do, ask how to schedule a visit and what technology you need. Many offices now list telehealth as an option when you call or use their online scheduling system.

If you do not have a regular doctor or want to find a new one who offers telehealth, use the Medicare Provider Search tool at Medicare.gov. Search for a provider type (doctor, nurse practitioner, mental health counselor) and your location. The results show whether each provider is accepting new patients, though the search tool does not always indicate telehealth availability — you may need to call the office to ask.

For Medicare Advantage members, log into your plan's website or call the customer service number on your card. Most plans have a provider search tool that filters by telehealth availability. Some Advantage plans also partner with telehealth companies and list those options in your plan materials.

What you need to prepare for a telehealth visit

Have your Medicare card and any insurance cards ready before the visit. Write down your symptoms, questions, or medications you want to discuss, just as you would for an office visit. If you are on multiple medications, have a list handy so your provider can review it.

Test your technology 10 to 15 minutes before the appointment. Make sure your internet connection is stable, your camera and microphone work (if using video), and you are in a private, quiet space. If you are using a phone visit, find a place where you can talk without interruption.

If your visit involves a blood pressure check or weight measurement, take those readings at home beforehand and have them ready to share. Some providers ask patients to do this before a telehealth visit so they have the information they need.

Changes to telehealth coverage you should know about

Telehealth coverage has been extended multiple times since the pandemic began, most recently through legislation that Congress votes on periodically. The current rules are expected to continue through 2025, but there is no may provide. If you rely on telehealth, check Medicare.gov or your plan's website each year to see whether coverage has changed.

Some states have their own telehealth laws that may affect what is covered. For example, a few states require an in-person visit before telehealth is allowed, or they have different rules for prescriptions written by telehealth providers. If you live in a state with strict telehealth rules, your provider's office can tell you what applies to you.

Prescription refills by telehealth are generally covered, but some controlled substances (like certain pain medications or stimulants) have extra rules. Your provider or pharmacist can tell you whether a telehealth visit is allowed for your specific medication.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use telehealth if I have Original Medicare and a Medigap plan?

Yes. Your Medigap plan covers telehealth the same way it covers office visits — it pays its share of the copay or coinsurance after Medicare pays its share. You still need to be an established patient with a Medicare-enrolled provider.

What happens if my internet goes out during a telehealth visit?

Call your provider's office as soon as you realize the connection is lost. Most offices will reschedule the visit at no charge or switch to a phone call if possible. Let them know about the problem before the visit ends so they can document it.

Can I get a telehealth visit with a specialist I have never seen before?

Not under Original Medicare — you must be an established patient. However, your primary care doctor can refer you to a specialist and often that counts as an introduction. Ask your primary care office whether they can arrange a telehealth visit with the specialist as your first appointment.

Do I pay the same copay for a telehealth visit as an office visit?

Yes, under Original Medicare the copay is identical. With Medicare Advantage, it depends on your plan — some charge the same copay, some charge less, and some charge nothing. Check your plan documents or call your plan to find out your specific copay.

Is telehealth covered if I am traveling outside the United States?

Original Medicare covers telehealth visits with U.S.-based providers even if you are outside the country, as long as your provider is enrolled in Medicare. Medicare Advantage plans vary — some cover it, some do not. Call your plan before you travel to confirm.