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For many, especially older adults, those with limited mobility, or individuals residing in rural areas, accessing medical care remotely can be easier, faster, and potentially less expensive than traveling to a physical location.
This guide explains Medicare’s telehealth coverage, detailing current rules, upcoming changes scheduled for late 2025, and associated costs, based on information from official government sources like Medicare.gov and Telehealth.HHS.gov.
What Does Medicare Mean by “Telehealth”?
Understanding Medicare’s specific terminology is crucial because different terms correspond to different rules and coverage requirements.
Official Definition
When Medicare refers to “telehealth,” it specifically means certain services covered under Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) that are typically performed in person but are instead delivered using telecommunications technology.
The standard technology requirement involves a system that permits two-way, real-time interactive communication, usually including both audio and video capabilities, between the patient and the healthcare provider who is at a different location (known as the “distant site”).
However, under specific circumstances, particularly for mental health services or when patients at home face technological barriers, audio-only communication (like a standard phone call) may also qualify as a Medicare telehealth service.
Distinction from Similar Services
It’s important to differentiate Medicare telehealth visits from other related virtual services that Medicare also covers, as the rules and typical uses differ:
Virtual Check-ins: These are brief communications, generally 10 minutes or less, initiated by the patient with their established healthcare provider. They utilize technologies like phone calls, video chat, secure text messaging, email, or patient portals to determine if an office visit or other service is needed.
Unlike telehealth visits, virtual check-ins are not always conducted in real-time. Coverage requires the patient’s verbal consent, which must be documented, and the check-in must not be related to a medical visit within the previous 7 days or lead to one within the next 24 hours (or the soonest available appointment). Medicare Part B covers these, with standard cost-sharing applied.
E-visits: These involve patient-initiated communication through a secure online patient portal with established providers. They are not real-time conversations but rather exchanges occurring over a period of up to seven days.
E-visits allow patients to connect with their doctors or certain other practitioners (like physical therapists or nurse practitioners) for non-urgent issues without an office visit. Medicare Part B covers E-visits, and standard cost-sharing applies.
The specific definitions used by Medicare are significant for beneficiaries. They determine how a service is billed, what rules apply (such as needing an established relationship with the provider for check-ins and e-visits), and what technology is required.
Understanding these distinctions helps set accurate expectations about coverage and prevents confusion when reviewing Medicare statements. For instance, a quick message exchange via a patient portal (an E-visit) is handled differently under Medicare rules than a full, real-time psychotherapy session delivered via video call (a telehealth visit).
This structured approach reflects Medicare’s system for reimbursing various remote interactions based on their nature, complexity, and the provider time involved.
How Medicare Covers Telehealth: The Basics
Medicare coverage for telehealth primarily falls under Part B, but it’s helpful to understand the role of each part:
Part A (Hospital Insurance): Part A mainly covers inpatient hospital stays, care in a skilled nursing facility, hospice care, and some home health care. It generally does not cover telehealth visits directly, as these are typically considered outpatient services.
However, telehealth technology might be utilized during an inpatient stay, or Part A might cover specific related services delivered via telehealth, such as the face-to-face encounter required for hospice eligibility recertification (which is temporarily allowed via telehealth through specific dates).
Part B (Medical Insurance): This is the core component of Medicare that covers telehealth services. Part B covers medically necessary services like doctor visits, outpatient therapies, preventive screenings, and durable medical equipment.
When these services are delivered via telehealth according to Medicare rules, Part B generally covers them similarly to how it would cover an in-person visit.
Part C (Medicare Advantage): These are alternative plans offered by private insurance companies approved by Medicare. Medicare Advantage plans are required by law to cover, at a minimum, all the services covered by Original Medicare (Part A and Part B), including telehealth services covered under Part B.
Importantly, many Medicare Advantage plans offer additional benefits beyond Original Medicare, which may include expanded telehealth options. (Section VII provides more detail on Medicare Advantage).
Part D (Prescription Drug Coverage): Part D plans cover outpatient prescription drugs. While Part D doesn’t cover the telehealth visit itself, any prescriptions prescribed by a provider during a covered telehealth appointment would be processed according to the rules and formulary of the beneficiary’s specific Part D plan.
The main takeaway is that for most telehealth appointments with doctors, therapists, and other outpatient providers, coverage rules and costs are determined by Medicare Part B for those enrolled in Original Medicare.
Covered Telehealth Services Under Medicare Part B
Medicare Part B’s coverage extends to a broad array of services when delivered via telehealth, effectively substituting for an in-person encounter.
Examples of Covered Services
Medicare covers many types of telehealth appointments, including:
- Office Visits: Routine evaluation and management services with physicians or other qualified providers.
- Mental Health Services: Psychotherapy, mental health counseling, and psychiatric evaluations.
- Consultations: Specialist consultations requested by another provider.
- Preventive Services: Certain screenings like depression screenings, alcohol misuse screenings, cardiovascular disease risk reduction visits, and obesity counseling.
- Therapy Services: Some services provided by physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists.
- Chronic Care Management: Services like diabetes self-management training and medical nutrition therapy for eligible individuals.
- Kidney Disease Care: Monthly visits related to End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) for patients on home dialysis.
- Acute Stroke Care: Services for the diagnosis, evaluation, or treatment of symptoms of an acute stroke.
- Substance Use Disorder Treatment: Services for the treatment of substance use disorders.
- Hospice Recertification: Face-to-face encounters for hospice eligibility recertification (temporarily allowed through Sept 30, 2025).
The Official List of Telehealth Services
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) maintains a definitive list of all services eligible for Medicare payment when furnished via telehealth. This list uses specific medical billing codes (HCPCS and CPT codes) to identify each covered service.
Currently, there are over 250 services on this list. CMS typically reviews and updates this list annually, adding or removing services based on clinical evidence and other criteria.
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, beneficiaries and providers should refer to the official list available on the CMS website.
The sheer number and variety of services included on the official telehealth list—ranging from common office visits and mental health counseling to specialized therapies and chronic condition management—signals that Medicare increasingly views telehealth not merely as an auxiliary service but as a standard method for delivering a significant portion of healthcare.
This integration suggests that beneficiaries can confidently explore telehealth as a viable option for many different health needs, well beyond simple consultations.
Which Healthcare Providers Can Offer Telehealth via Medicare?
Knowing which types of healthcare professionals can provide services via telehealth under Medicare rules is key to accessing care.
Expanded Provider Eligibility (Temporary)
A major flexibility introduced during the COVID-19 public health emergency, and subsequently extended by Congress, allows a wider range of healthcare providers to offer and bill for telehealth services under Medicare. Through September 30, 2025, essentially all healthcare professionals who are normally eligible to bill Medicare for their services can serve as distant site telehealth providers.
Examples of Eligible Provider Types
This broad eligibility includes, but is not limited to:
- Physicians
- Nurse Practitioners (NPs)
- Physician Assistants (PAs)
- Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs)
- Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNSs)
- Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs)
- Clinical Psychologists (CPs)
- Clinical Social Workers (CSWs)
- Registered Dietitians (RDs) and Nutrition Professionals
- Physical Therapists (PTs), Occupational Therapists (OTs), and Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) (eligibility extended through Sept 30, 2025)
- Audiologists (eligibility extended through Sept 30, 2025)
- Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs) and Mental Health Counselors (MHCs) (now permanently eligible Medicare providers for behavioral/mental telehealth)
Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and Rural Health Clinics (RHCs)
These safety-net clinics also benefit from telehealth flexibilities. FQHCs and RHCs can serve as the distant site (where the provider is located) for Medicare telehealth services. This allowance is permanent for behavioral and mental health services.
For all other types of telehealth services, FQHCs and RHCs can act as distant sites through September 30, 2025.
Finding Telehealth Providers
Medicare does not maintain a specific directory of providers who offer telehealth. Beneficiaries can use Medicare’s official “Care Compare” tool at Medicare.gov/care-compare to find physicians, hospitals, and other providers enrolled in Medicare.
The best approach is to contact providers directly to inquire if they offer telehealth services that are covered by Medicare.
The current broad eligibility of providers represents a significant expansion of access compared to pre-pandemic rules. Many more types of clinicians, such as physical and occupational therapists, became available via telehealth due to these temporary flexibilities.
However, because this expanded eligibility for many non-physician and non-mental health providers is currently set to expire on September 30, 2025, access to certain specialists via telehealth could become more limited after that date unless Congress enacts further legislation.
The permanent inclusion of Marriage and Family Therapists and Mental Health Counselors underscores a continued policy emphasis on improving access to behavioral healthcare.
Your Guide to Medicare Telehealth Requirements
To ensure Medicare covers a telehealth service, several requirements related to the patient’s location, the technology used, and other rules must be met. These rules have been significantly relaxed due to COVID-19 flexibilities, but many are scheduled to change in late 2025.
Where Beneficiaries Need to Be (Patient Location / Originating Site)
The “originating site” is the location of the patient at the time of the telehealth service.
Current Rules (Through September 30, 2025): Under the ongoing flexibilities, Medicare beneficiaries can receive any covered telehealth service from any geographic location within the U.S., including the comfort and convenience of their own home.
During this period, the pre-pandemic requirements that restricted telehealth to specific types of medical facilities (originating sites) located in designated rural areas are waived.
Upcoming Changes (Starting October 1, 2025): Unless Congress passes new legislation to extend the current flexibilities, the stricter pre-pandemic rules are set to return for most telehealth services (i.e., those not related to mental/behavioral health, ESRD home dialysis, or acute stroke).
Under these rules, the patient generally must be present at an approved originating site facility, such as a physician’s office, hospital, Critical Access Hospital, Rural Health Clinic, or FQHC.
Furthermore, this facility must typically be located in a county outside of a Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) or in a designated rural Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA).
Significantly, under these returning rules, a patient’s home would not qualify as an eligible originating site for most general medical telehealth services.
Permanent Exceptions for Location: Crucially, certain telehealth services have permanent exceptions allowing beneficiaries to receive care at home (or other locations) regardless of geography, even after September 30, 2025:
- Mental and Behavioral Health: Services for the diagnosis, evaluation, or treatment of mental health disorders, including substance use disorders, can permanently be received via telehealth while the patient is in their home. There are no geographic restrictions for these services.
- ESRD Home Dialysis: Monthly clinical assessments related to End-Stage Renal Disease for patients receiving home dialysis can be conducted via telehealth while the patient is at home.
- Acute Stroke: Services related to acute stroke can be provided via telehealth wherever the patient is located, including their home or even a mobile stroke unit.
Checking Rural Eligibility: For planning beyond September 2025, beneficiaries or providers can use the Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) Medicare Telehealth Payment Eligibility Analyzer tool to determine if a specific facility address meets the rural criteria for originating sites.
The upcoming October 1, 2025, changes to patient location rules represent a significant potential shift in access, often referred to as the “telehealth cliff”. If the pre-pandemic rural and facility-based restrictions return for most non-mental health services, millions of beneficiaries living in urban and suburban areas, who gained convenient home-based telehealth access during the pandemic, may lose that access for many common medical needs.
This stands in stark contrast to the permanent flexibility allowing home access for mental health care, potentially creating a two-tiered system based on the type of care sought. This highlights a potential disruption for both patients and providers who have integrated telehealth into routine care and underscores the importance of ongoing legislative discussions about making the broader access permanent.
Table: Patient Location Rules for Medicare Telehealth
| Service Type | Rule Period | Allowed Patient Location(s) | Geographic Restriction |
|---|---|---|---|
| General (Non-Mental/Behavioral Health) | Through Sept 30, 2025 | Any location in US (including home) | None |
| General (Non-Mental/Behavioral Health) | Starting Oct 1, 2025* | Approved originating site facility (e.g., clinic, hospital) | Must be in designated rural area |
| Mental/Behavioral Health | Permanent | Patient’s home (or other location) | None |
| ESRD Home Dialysis Monthly Visit | Permanent | Patient’s home | None |
| Acute Stroke Services | Permanent | Any location (including home, mobile unit) | None |
*Subject to change based on potential future legislation.
Technology Needed (Audio-Visual vs. Audio-Only)
Medicare specifies the type of technology required for telehealth services.
Standard Requirement: The general rule for Medicare telehealth requires the use of an “interactive telecommunications system” that includes, at a minimum, both audio and video equipment permitting two-way, real-time interactive communication between the patient and the distant site provider.
Audio-Only Allowances: Recognizing that not everyone has access to or comfort with video technology, Medicare permits the use of audio-only communication (like a traditional phone call) in specific situations:
- Temporary Broad Allowance (Through September 30, 2025): For most Medicare telehealth services, including general medical care (non-behavioral/mental health), audio-only technology is permitted.
- Permanent Allowance (Behavioral/Mental Health): Audio-only communication is permanently allowed for telehealth services used for the diagnosis, evaluation, or treatment of mental health and substance use disorders, including when the patient is at home.
- Permanent Allowance (Specific Home Use Case): Audio-only technology is also permanently permitted for any telehealth service delivered to a patient in their home if the distant site provider is technically capable of using an audio-visual system, but the patient is either not capable of using video technology or does not consent to its use.
Medicare’s approach to technology reflects an acknowledgment of the digital divide and varying levels of technological access among beneficiaries. The permanent allowances for audio-only, particularly for mental health care and for patients at home who cannot use or do not consent to video, demonstrate a commitment to maintaining access even for those with limitations.
However, the baseline standard generally remains audio-visual communication. Furthermore, the permanent home-use exception for audio-only requires that the provider must have video capability, suggesting an underlying preference for richer, video-enabled interactions whenever feasible, while still providing essential flexibility.
Table: Technology Requirements for Medicare Telehealth
| Service Type | Technology Standard | When Audio-Only is Permitted |
|---|---|---|
| General (Non-Mental/Behavioral Health) | Audio-Visual (2-way, real-time) | Through Sept 30, 2025*; OR Permanently if patient at home AND unable/unwilling to use video AND provider is video-capable. |
| Mental/Behavioral Health | Audio-Visual OR Audio-Only | Permanently allowed (including audio-only). |
*Subject to change based on potential future legislation.
Other Key Rules
Mental Health In-Person Visit Requirement: Before the pandemic, Medicare generally required an in-person visit within six months prior to the initial mental or behavioral health telehealth service, and annually thereafter. This requirement has been waived and is not in effect through September 30, 2025. For beneficiaries receiving these services from FQHCs or RHCs, the waiver extends through December 31, 2025.
Patient Consent: While standard practice for all medical care, verbal consent is explicitly required and must be documented by the provider for virtual check-ins.
Established Relationship: Virtual Check-ins and E-visits generally require an established relationship between the patient and the provider. However, the broader requirement for an established relationship prior to the first telehealth visit was waived during the pandemic, and this flexibility generally continues under the current extensions.
Understanding Costs: Telehealth & Original Medicare
For beneficiaries enrolled in Original Medicare (Parts A and B), the costs associated with telehealth services primarily relate to Part B coverage.
Part B Deductible
Before Medicare begins to pay its share for most Part B-covered services, including telehealth visits, beneficiaries must first meet their annual Part B deductible. For the calendar year 2025, the Medicare Part B deductible is $257. This deductible applies once per year to the total of all Part B services received.
Coinsurance
After the annual Part B deductible has been met, the beneficiary is typically responsible for a coinsurance payment. For most telehealth services covered under Part B, this coinsurance is 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for the service. Medicare pays the remaining 80% of the approved amount.
Comparison to In-Person Costs
A key point for beneficiaries is that, for the vast majority of telehealth services covered by Original Medicare, the amount they pay out-of-pocket (the 20% coinsurance after the deductible) is the same as what they would pay for the equivalent service delivered during an in-person visit. Telehealth does not inherently cost more under Original Medicare’s payment structure.
Factors Influencing Final Cost
While the 20% coinsurance is the standard, the actual dollar amount a beneficiary pays can be affected by several factors:
- Provider Assignment: Whether the healthcare provider “accepts assignment.” This means they agree to accept the Medicare-approved amount as full payment. If a provider does not accept assignment, they can charge the beneficiary up to 15% more than the Medicare-approved amount (this extra charge is called the “limiting charge”).
- Supplemental Insurance: Whether the beneficiary has other insurance coverage, such as a Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) policy. Medigap plans often cover the Part B deductible and/or the 20% coinsurance, significantly reducing or eliminating out-of-pocket costs for Medicare-covered services, including telehealth.
- Specific Service: The Medicare-approved amount varies depending on the specific service provided.
- Facility Type: If telehealth services are received through a hospital outpatient department, additional facility fees or higher copayments might apply compared to receiving the same service in a doctor’s office setting.
Historical Context on Cost-Sharing Waivers
During the height of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG) provided flexibility for healthcare providers to reduce or waive Medicare cost-sharing (deductibles and coinsurance) for telehealth visits. However, this was a temporary measure tied to the emergency declaration.
Beneficiaries should generally expect to be responsible for the standard Part B deductible and 20% coinsurance for telehealth services now.
Although Medicare aims for cost parity between telehealth and in-person visits by applying the same 20% coinsurance rate, a beneficiary’s actual out-of-pocket expense is heavily influenced by their overall insurance situation.
Factors like meeting the annual deductible, whether the provider accepts assignment, and, most significantly, whether the individual has supplemental coverage like Medigap play a major role.
Therefore, while telehealth itself isn’t structured to be more expensive under Original Medicare, the beneficiary’s choice of coverage (Original Medicare alone versus Original Medicare plus a Medigap plan) remains the primary determinant of their final bill, just as it is for face-to-face care.
Telehealth Coverage Through Medicare Advantage (Part C)
Medicare Advantage (MA) plans, also known as Part C, are an alternative way to receive Medicare benefits through private insurance companies approved by Medicare. Understanding how they handle telehealth is important for MA enrollees.
Baseline Coverage Requirement
By law, Medicare Advantage plans must provide coverage for all the services that Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) covers. This means if a specific telehealth service is covered under Medicare Part B, any MA plan must also cover that medically necessary service.
Potential for Additional Telehealth Benefits
Beyond the required baseline coverage, MA plans have the flexibility to offer extra benefits not included in Original Medicare. This can include expanded telehealth benefits.
For example, an MA plan might cover telehealth services beyond those on the official Medicare list, allow different types of technology, or offer telehealth access under conditions broader than Original Medicare’s rules (though they must always meet the minimum requirements).
Different Rules and Costs
Enrolling in an MA plan means agreeing to the plan’s specific rules and cost structure, which can differ significantly from Original Medicare and from plan to plan:
- Provider Networks: Many MA plans, particularly Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) and Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs), have networks of doctors and hospitals. Using providers within the network is often required (HMOs) or results in lower costs (PPOs). These network rules typically apply to telehealth providers as well. Seeking telehealth care from an out-of-network provider might lead to higher costs or no coverage (except in emergencies).
- Cost-Sharing: Instead of the standard 20% coinsurance after the deductible found in Original Medicare Part B, MA plans usually use copayments (fixed dollar amounts, e.g., $20 per visit) or different coinsurance percentages for services, including telehealth. These costs vary widely between plans. MA plans do have an annual maximum out-of-pocket limit for Part A and Part B services, which Original Medicare lacks.
- Referrals: Some MA plans, especially HMOs, require beneficiaries to get a referral from their primary care physician before seeing a specialist. This requirement could potentially extend to telehealth visits with specialists.
- Prior Authorization: MA plans may require prior authorization (pre-approval) from the plan before certain services, potentially including some telehealth services, will be covered.
Key Advice for MA Enrollees
Given the variability among plans, it is essential for individuals enrolled in Medicare Advantage to contact their specific plan directly to get accurate information about their telehealth coverage. Beneficiaries should ask about:
- Which telehealth services are covered.
- What the copayments or coinsurance amounts are for telehealth visits.
- Whether they need to use providers within the plan’s network for telehealth.
- If referrals or prior authorizations are needed for any telehealth services.
The plan’s Evidence of Coverage (EOC) document and customer service line are the best resources for these details.
While MA plans must match Original Medicare’s minimum telehealth coverage, their capacity to offer additional telehealth benefits presents a potential advantage for those seeking broader remote care options.
However, this potential is balanced by the complexities inherent in private insurance plans, including network limitations, varied cost structures, and plan-specific rules like referral or prior authorization requirements.
Consequently, beneficiaries cannot assume that telehealth coverage under one MA plan mirrors another or is identical to Original Medicare. Diligent research and direct verification with the chosen plan are necessary, making careful plan comparison vital for individuals who prioritize robust telehealth access.
Beyond Telehealth: Virtual Check-ins and E-visits
In addition to formal telehealth visits, Medicare Part B also covers two other types of remote communication services: virtual check-ins and e-visits.
Recap of Definitions
Virtual Check-ins: Brief (around 5-10 minutes), patient-initiated interactions with an established provider using phone, video, or portal communication to quickly address a concern or determine if an office visit is needed. Specific timing rules apply (not related to recent or upcoming visits), and verbal consent is required.
E-visits: Patient-initiated, non-real-time communication through a secure online patient portal with an established provider, typically for non-urgent matters, occurring over a period of up to 7 days.
Medicare Part B Coverage and Costs
Both virtual check-ins and e-visits are covered under Medicare Part B when all requirements are met. The standard Part B cost-sharing applies: beneficiaries are responsible for the annual Part B deductible ($257 in 2025) and then typically pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for these services.
Availability
These services are generally available to established patients across the country, without the geographic location restrictions that apply (or are scheduled to return) for formal telehealth visits.
Clearly distinguishing between these three types of remote services—telehealth visits, virtual check-ins, and e-visits—is crucial for beneficiaries. They serve different purposes, operate under different rules (e.g., initiation, real-time interaction, established relationship requirements), and utilize different technologies. The following table provides a comparative overview:
Table: Comparing Remote Services: Telehealth vs. Virtual Check-in vs. E-visit
| Feature | Medicare Telehealth Visit | Virtual Check-in | E-visit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Purpose | Substitute for in-person visit | Assess need for visit / brief communication | Non-urgent communication / assessment |
| Interaction | Real-time (usually A/V, sometimes audio-only) | Brief communication (phone, video, portal, text, email) | Asynchronous via portal |
| Typical Duration | Full visit length | ~5-10 minutes | Over 7-day period |
| Initiation | Provider/Patient schedules | Patient initiates | Patient initiates |
| Real-time? | Yes (required) | Not necessarily | No |
| Established Relationship? | Generally not required for first visit (under flexibilities) | Required | Required |
| Key Restriction Example | Location/Tech rules apply | Timing rules (re: other visits) | Portal use required |
Finding Reliable Information: Official Medicare & Government Resources
Telehealth policies, particularly those related to the temporary flexibilities enacted during the pandemic, are subject to change based on Congressional action and CMS decisions. Therefore, relying on official government sources for the most current and accurate information is essential.
Key Websites
Medicare.gov: This is the official U.S. government website for Medicare, designed for beneficiaries. Helpful pages include:
- Main Telehealth Coverage Page: https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/telehealth
- Virtual Check-ins Coverage: https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/virtual-check-ins
- E-visits Coverage: https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/e-visits-0
- “Is your test, item, or service covered?” Tool: https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/is-your-test-item-or-service-covered
- Medicare Costs Overview: https://www.medicare.gov/basics/costs/medicare-costs
- Find & Compare Medicare Plans (including Medicare Advantage): https://www.medicare.gov/plan-compare
Telehealth.HHS.gov: The official U.S. Department of Health & Human Services website dedicated to telehealth information for both patients and providers. Relevant sections include:
- Information for Patients: https://telehealth.hhs.gov/patients/
- Medicare Telehealth Policy Updates: https://telehealth.hhs.gov/providers/telehealth-policy/telehealth-policy-updates
- Medicare Telehealth Payment Policies: https://telehealth.hhs.gov/providers/billing-and-reimbursement/medicare-payment-policies
CMS.gov: The website for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the agency overseeing Medicare. While often more technical, it’s the source for definitive rules and lists.
- Official List of Medicare Telehealth Services: https://www.cms.gov/medicare/coverage/telehealth/list-services
Other Helpful Resources
Medicare Helpline: For questions about Medicare coverage and costs, beneficiaries can call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048.
State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP): SHIPs provide free, unbiased, and personalized counseling on Medicare issues. Local SHIP contact information can be found at https://www.shiphelp.org/.
The landscape of Medicare telehealth coverage has undergone significant changes and continues to evolve, particularly concerning the temporary flexibilities currently set to expire on September 30, 2025.
Because policies can shift based on legislative or regulatory action, it is vital for beneficiaries to stay informed by consulting these official government channels directly.
Relying on primary sources like Medicare.gov and Telehealth.HHS.gov ensures access to the most accurate and up-to-date information, empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their healthcare.
Personalized assistance via 1-800-MEDICARE or local SHIP counselors can also provide valuable guidance in navigating specific situations.
Our articles make government information more accessible. Please consult a qualified professional for financial, legal, or health advice specific to your circumstances.
