What Telehealth Services Are Covered by Medicare in 2027?

Which telehealth services does Medicare cover in 2027?

Medicare covers a wide range of telehealth services in 2027, including video and phone visits with doctors, mental health care, and remote monitoring for some chronic conditions. A law signed in February 2026 extended Medicare's expanded telehealth rules through December 31, 2027. That means most people with Part B can get covered virtual care from home, wherever they live.

If your provider decides a visit can be done safely by telehealth, Medicare generally covers it the same way it covers an office visit. Common covered services include:

• Doctor visits by video or phone with primary care doctors and specialists, for new concerns and follow-ups.
• Mental and behavioral health care, including therapy and medication management for conditions like depression.
• Remote patient monitoring, where a device sends readings to your care team. It is often used for high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes.
• Virtual check-ins and e-visits, which are short phone calls, video chats, or portal messages with a provider you already see.
• Your Annual Wellness Visit and some preventive counseling.
• Substance use disorder treatment, including services from opioid treatment programs.

Some care still needs to happen in person, such as hands-on exams, imaging, and most procedures. After a virtual visit, your provider can often order lab work that you complete at a local lab.

What's permanent, and what ends after 2027?

Some telehealth rules are now a permanent part of Medicare. Others depend on Congress extending them again. This table shows where each one stands.

These rules briefly lapsed twice, in late 2025 and early 2026, before Congress restored them. If your care depends on telehealth, watch for news in late 2027 about what comes next. You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE or ask your provider whether a specific service is covered before your appointment.

Who qualifies, and what will you pay?

You can use Medicare telehealth if you have Part B and see a provider who accepts Medicare and offers virtual visits. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, your plan covers at least what Original Medicare covers, and many plans add extra telehealth benefits that can continue after 2027.

Costs usually match an in-person visit:

• Part B deductible: you pay this first each year. Medicare announces the 2027 amount each fall.
• Coinsurance: after the deductible, you typically pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount.
• Supplemental coverage: a Medigap policy may help pay your share.

If a provider prescribes a medicine during a telehealth visit, your Medicare Part D plan covers it the same way it covers any prescription. Ongoing medicines such as lisinopril for blood pressure or atorvastatin for cholesterol can often be reviewed during virtual follow-ups.

How to get the most from a Medicare telehealth visit

Telehealth works well for ongoing care, such as high blood pressure treatment, high cholesterol treatment, medication reviews, and quick questions. A little setup helps the visit go smoothly:

1. Confirm coverage. Ask whether the provider accepts Medicare or your Medicare Advantage plan for telehealth.
2. Test your device. Check your camera, microphone, and internet connection a day ahead. If video won't work, ask about a phone visit.
3. Gather your information. Write down your symptoms, when they started, your medicines and doses, and your pharmacy.
4. Have readings ready. If you track your blood pressure, blood sugar, or weight at home, keep recent numbers nearby.
5. Find a private, quiet space with good lighting so your provider can see and hear you clearly.

Our guide on how to prepare for a telehealth visit walks through more tips. If technology feels like a barrier, a family member can help you join, or you can ask for an audio-only visit.

When telehealth isn't the right choice

Telehealth is not for emergencies. Call 911 right away for:

• Chest pain or pressure
• Trouble breathing
• Signs of a stroke, such as face drooping, arm weakness, or slurred speech
• Severe bleeding, sudden confusion, or fainting

Telehealth also has limits for routine care. You'll still need an in-person visit for physical exams that require touch, imaging like X-rays, most vaccines, and procedures. Your provider can tell you when an office visit is the better fit. If a virtual visit raises a concern that needs a closer look, they can help you schedule the next step.

Privacy matters, too. Use the platform your provider recommends, and avoid joining from a public network when you discuss health details.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Medicare cover telehealth in 2027?

Yes. If you have Part B, Medicare covers many telehealth services in 2027, including doctor visits, mental health care, and some remote monitoring. Congress extended the expanded rules through December 31, 2027, so you can get this care from home.

Do I need to live in a rural area to get Medicare telehealth?

No. Through December 31, 2027, Medicare covers telehealth for people anywhere in the U.S., and you can join from home. Before the pandemic, coverage was mostly limited to rural areas and visits from a clinic or hospital.

Does Medicare cover phone-only visits in 2027?

Yes. Audio-only visits are covered through December 31, 2027, when your provider decides a phone visit is appropriate. For mental health care, phone visits can continue after 2027 if you can't use video or prefer not to.

Is there an in-person rule for Medicare mental health telehealth?

Not in 2027. The rule is delayed through December 31, 2027. If it takes effect afterward, you would need an in-person visit within six months before starting telehealth mental health care, then generally once a year.

What happens to Medicare telehealth after 2027?

Unless Congress acts again, most non-mental health telehealth would return to older rules in 2028, limiting coverage mainly to rural areas and visits from a clinic. Mental health and substance use care from home would stay covered.

The Bottom Line

Medicare covers a broad range of telehealth in 2027, from video and phone visits to mental health care and remote monitoring. Most of these rules last through December 31, 2027, while mental health care from home is permanent. Want help before your next visit? Doctronic's free AI doctor can help you understand possible causes of your symptoms in minutes, with 99.2% treatment plan alignment with board-certified physicians. Licensed doctors are available 24/7 for $39 video visits, so you can get care without leaving home. This article is informational and is not a medical diagnosis. Confirm with a licensed clinician, especially for new, worsening, or high-risk symptoms.