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Does Medicare cover telehealth in 2026?

Yes. Under current law, Medicare Part B covers telehealth visits from anywhere in the United States, including your home, through December 31, 2027, according to CMS's telehealth FAQ (updated October 2026). You can also get audio-only visits at home through that date.

You pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after the Part B deductible, which for most telehealth services is the same as an in-person visit. Starting January 1, 2028, most non-behavioral telehealth goes back to stricter location rules unless Congress acts again.

Updated · Facts checked against the sources listed below

Where Medicare telehealth stands now

CMS's Telehealth FAQ (updated October 8, 2026) says that through December 31, 2027:

  • You can get Medicare telehealth services anywhere in the U.S. and its territories, including at home. You don't need to live in a rural area or go to a medical facility.
  • An extended range of practitioners can bill for telehealth, including physical and occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists and audiologists.
  • Audio-only telehealth is allowed in your home.
  • Rural health clinics and federally qualified health centers can keep billing for non-behavioral telehealth.

What Medicare covers by telehealth

Medicare.gov lists services such as office visits, psychotherapy and consultations, plus examples including:

  • Advance care planning and cognitive assessments.
  • Depression screenings and outpatient psychotherapy.
  • Diabetes self-management training and medical nutrition therapy.
  • Cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation, and speech therapy.

Medicare may cover more telehealth services than these. Medicare Advantage plans and some providers may offer broader telehealth benefits; check your plan.

What you pay

After you meet the Part B deductible, you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount. For most telehealth services, that's the same as you'd pay in person. Your actual cost depends on other insurance, your doctor's charges, whether the doctor accepts assignment, and where you get the service.

What changes on January 1, 2028

Unless the law changes again, CMS says:

  • Most telehealth: you'll generally need to be in a medical facility in a rural area, except for behavioral health.
  • Behavioral and mental health: home telehealth stays available permanently. For mental health care at home, an in-person visit within 6 months before the first telehealth visit is required, then at least yearly. People who started before 2028 are treated as established and need an in-person visit every 12 months.
  • Audio-only: allowed for behavioral health at home if the clinician can do video but you can't or don't want to use it.
  • Therapists and audiologists: physical and occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists and audiologists can no longer bill Medicare for telehealth.

Telehealth rules have changed often since 2020. Check the date on any source, and ask your doctor's office how a visit will be billed before you book.

How Gabriel helps

Gabriel can explain your Medicare benefits in plain words and help you find and book care. Ask Gabriel anything free by app, web, text or voice. Gabriel is not an insurer.

Common questions

Does Medicare cover telehealth in 2026?

Yes. Through December 31, 2027, Medicare covers telehealth from anywhere in the U.S., including your home, under current law.

Has Medicare telehealth been extended?

Yes. CMS says the home and location flexibilities run through December 31, 2027. Starting January 1, 2028, most non-behavioral telehealth returns to rural and facility requirements unless Congress acts.

Does Medicare cover telehealth phone calls?

Yes, through December 31, 2027, you can get audio-only telehealth at home. After that, audio-only at home stays available for behavioral health in certain cases.

How much does a Medicare telehealth visit cost?

You pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after the Part B deductible. For most services, that matches what you'd pay in person.

Does Medicare Advantage cover telehealth?

Medicare.gov says Medicare Advantage plans may offer broader telehealth benefits than Original Medicare. Check your plan's evidence of coverage.

Sources

  1. Telehealth FAQ (updated October 2026) CMS
  2. Telehealth coverage Medicare.gov
  3. Telehealth CMS

This guide is general information, not medical advice. It does not replace a visit with a licensed clinician. Gabriel membership is not health insurance.