Medicare / Telehealth / Coverage
Yes. As of October 2026, Medicare covers many telehealth services, including video visits from your own home, through December 31, 2027. With Original Medicare, you usually pay the same as for an in-person visit: 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after you meet the Part B deductible. Medicare Advantage plans set their own costs and may offer more telehealth benefits.
Telehealth rules for Medicare have changed several times since 2020. Congress has extended the temporary rules again and again, sometimes at the last minute. So it's normal to feel unsure about what's covered. Here's a plain summary of where things stand today.
Does Medicare cover video visits from home right now?
Yes. According to Medicare.gov and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), through December 31, 2027, you can get Medicare telehealth services from anywhere in the U.S., including your home.
Medicare says telehealth can provide many services that usually happen in person. That includes office visits, consultations, psychotherapy and more. The list of covered telehealth services is set by CMS each year, and it includes common primary care office visits and the yearly wellness visit.
Through the same date, CMS says you can also get audio-only (phone) telehealth services at home in some cases.
As of October 2026: the current home telehealth rules run through December 31, 2027. CMS updated its telehealth FAQ in October 2026 to reflect this. Rules may change again, so we check before every visit.
What happens after December 31, 2027?
Unless Congress acts again, the rules are scheduled to tighten. CMS says that starting January 1, 2028, except for behavioral health services, people will generally need to be in a medical facility in a rural area to get Medicare telehealth services.
Mental and behavioral health is different. Those services can already be received at home anywhere, under a permanent change made by Congress in 2021. Some in-person visit requirements for mental health telehealth are scheduled to start after 2027.
We can't predict what Congress will do. Past deadlines have been extended many times, but there's no guarantee. If anything changes, MD Care will tell you before your visit.
What will I pay for a telehealth visit?
With Original Medicare, Medicare.gov says that for most telehealth services, you pay the same amount you would for the same service in person:
| What Medicare.gov lists for 2026 | |
|---|---|
| Part B deductible | $283 per year |
| After the deductible | Usually 20% of the Medicare-approved amount |
| Annual Wellness Visit | $0 if your provider accepts assignment |
If you have a Medigap (Medicare Supplement) policy, it may help pay your share. That depends on your policy.
Deductible or out-of-pocket maximum? They're easy to mix up. With Original Medicare, you first pay the full Medicare-approved amount until you reach the Part B deductible ($283 in 2026). After that, you usually pay 20%, and there is no yearly cap on that 20%. A yearly out-of-pocket maximum, after which you pay nothing more for covered services, is a feature of Medicare Advantage plans, not Original Medicare.
With Medicare Advantage, your costs depend on your plan. Copays for telehealth can differ from in-person visits, and some plans have networks.
How is Medicare Advantage different from Original Medicare?
Original Medicare is the federal program, Part A and Part B. Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private companies approved by Medicare.
According to Medicare.gov:
- Medicare Advantage plans must cover all medically necessary services that Original Medicare covers.
- They may offer extra benefits, and Medicare says they "may offer more telehealth benefits than the basic coverage."
- You may need to use doctors in the plan's network for non-emergency care.
- Some services may need approval first, called prior authorization.
So if you have a Medicare Advantage plan, the key questions are: is the practice in your network, and what's your telehealth copay? That's exactly what we check for you.
How does MD Care confirm my coverage?
Before your visit, our team:
- Checks your Medicare details, whether you have Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan.
- Confirms the visit type is covered, such as a primary care or urgent care video visit.
- Tells you what you're likely to owe, before you're seen.
If your coverage can't be confirmed, or if you'd rather not use insurance, you can pay without it. Our prices are simple and posted upfront:
| Service | Without insurance |
|---|---|
| Video visit | $50 |
| Message visit | $20 |
| Prescription renewal | $5 |
There's no membership fee. Lab work, if needed, is done at Labcorp or Quest.
Do I have to be in Florida for my visit?
Yes. MD Care is a Florida-only practice, and our clinicians are licensed in Florida. You need to be physically in Florida at the time of your visit, even if Medicare's rules allow telehealth anywhere in the U.S.
That matters for snowbirds and travelers. If you spend part of the year in another state, plan your visits for when you're back in Florida. If you're away and need care, please use a local provider.
What can't be done by telehealth?
Telehealth is great for many things, like follow-ups, medication reviews, minor illnesses and prevention planning. It can't replace a hands-on exam, imaging or emergency care. If you have chest pain, trouble breathing, signs of a stroke or another emergency, call 911. Our guide on choosing telehealth, urgent care or the ER can help.
Does Medicare pay for telehealth visits in 2026?
Yes. As of October 2026, Medicare covers many telehealth services, including visits from your home, through December 31, 2027. With Original Medicare, you usually pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after the Part B deductible.
Will Medicare telehealth end in 2028?
For most non-behavioral services, the current home telehealth rules are scheduled to end after December 31, 2027, unless Congress extends them. Mental and behavioral health telehealth at home is already permanent.
Does Medicare Advantage cover telehealth?
Medicare Advantage plans must cover what Original Medicare covers, and many offer extra telehealth benefits. Costs and networks vary by plan, so we check yours before your visit.
Does Medicare cover phone-only visits?
In some cases. CMS says audio-only telehealth at home is allowed through December 31, 2027. Your clinician may still prefer video, because seeing you helps.
Can I use MD Care while I'm visiting family in another state?
No. You must be physically in Florida at the time of your visit, because our clinicians are licensed in Florida.
What if Medicare doesn't cover my visit?
We tell you before the visit. You can choose to pay without insurance: $50 for a video visit, $20 for a message visit or $5 for a prescription renewal.
See a clinician from home
MD Care offers primary and urgent care by video for adults in Florida. We accept Medicare and confirm your coverage before you're seen.
References
- Telehealth. Medicare.gov.
- Telehealth FAQ, updated October 2026. CMS.gov.
- Telehealth (Medicare coverage). CMS.gov.
- List of Telehealth Services for Calendar Year 2026. CMS.gov.
- Medicare costs (2026 Part B deductible and coinsurance). Medicare.gov.
- Compare Original Medicare & Medicare Advantage. Medicare.gov.
This article is for general information and isn't medical advice. Medicare telehealth rules are set by Congress and CMS and can change. Your coverage and costs depend on your plan. MD Care confirms your coverage before your visit. If you have a medical emergency, call 911.
