Introduction
In short: If you rely on Medicare and have used video visits or phone visits to stay connected with your health care team, you are not alone.
If you rely on Medicare and have used video visits or phone visits to stay connected with your health care team, you are not alone. Telehealth can make it easier to get care when travel is hard, when you are managing chronic conditions, or when you are supporting an older adult as a caregiver.
Congress has now extended key Medicare telehealth flexibilities for two more years. That means many of the broader telehealth options people used in recent years will continue, instead of ending soon.
What Congress extended
A federal spending law, H.R. 7148 (the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026), became law on February 3, 2026.
Among many provisions, it extends major Medicare telehealth flexibilities through December 31, 2027, including:
- Continued access to many Medicare telehealth services from anywhere in the U.S., including your home, for many types of non behavioral health care.
- Continued coverage for certain audio only telehealth services when Medicare rules allow it.
- Continued telehealth options tied to hospice recertification rules.
- A delay of certain in person visit requirements tied to Medicare tele-mental health rules, pushing that requirement further into the future.
Why this matters: without an extension, many non behavioral health telehealth services would revert to older Medicare rules that required rural location limits and facility based “originating sites” for most services.
What telehealth means in plain language
Telehealth is a way to receive health care services when you and your clinician are not in the same place. It often includes:
- Video visits on a phone, tablet, or computer
- Phone only visits in certain situations
- Other technology supported ways of connecting with your care team
Telehealth can be especially helpful if you are managing mobility limits, transportation challenges, or rural access barriers.
It also has limits. Some problems still require an in person exam, testing, imaging, or hands on evaluation.
What Medicare covers and what you may pay
For people with Original Medicare, many telehealth services are covered under Medicare Part B when they meet Medicare’s rules.
Costs can vary, but Medicare’s general Part B cost sharing still applies. After you meet the Part B deductible, you typically pay 20% of the Medicare approved amount for the clinician’s services, and many telehealth services cost the same as in person care.
If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, your plan may offer telehealth benefits that go beyond basic Original Medicare coverage, but the details can vary by plan and by service.
What this extension means for you and your family
If you are a patient, caregiver, or older adult, this two year extension can make it easier to:
- Keep follow up appointments without arranging transportation
- Include a caregiver or family member in the visit from another location when the clinician’s platform allows it
- Maintain continuity with specialists who are far away
- Use telehealth as a practical option when you are sick, have limited mobility, or face travel barriers
Research on telemedicine in older adults suggests telemedicine can be effective for many needs, including chronic disease management and patient satisfaction, while also noting common barriers such as technology challenges, hearing problems, and limits of remote exams.
How to use Medicare telehealth well
In short: How to use Medicare telehealth well — overview for readers of Congress Extends Medicare Telehealth Coverage for Two Years.
Step 1: Confirm what kind of Medicare coverage you have
Start by identifying whether you have:
- Original Medicare (Part A and Part B)
- Medicare Advantage (Part C)
- Original Medicare plus a Medigap policy
This matters because coverage rules and out of pocket costs can differ.
Step 2: Ask whether your appointment is a good fit for telehealth
Telehealth can work well for some common visit types, such as:
- Follow ups for stable chronic conditions
- Medication check ins
- Some mental health visits
- Reviewing test results
- Some skin concerns (often using photos plus video)
Telehealth may not be the best choice if you need:
- A new, complex diagnosis that requires a hands on exam
- Worsening symptoms that might require urgent evaluation
- Procedures, imaging, or lab work that must be done in person
If you are unsure, ask the clinic staff. You can say: “Is this visit appropriate as telehealth, or should it be in person?”
Step 3: Prepare for the visit like you would for an in person appointment
A little planning can make telehealth more effective.
Before your visit, consider:
- Writing down your top 3 concerns, in order
- Listing medications, doses, and any side effects you are noticing
- Gathering recent home readings you track (blood pressure, blood sugar, weight, oxygen level if relevant)
- Finding a quiet, private space with good lighting
- Testing the audio and camera a few minutes early
- Having a backup plan if video fails (for example, switching to a phone call if the clinic allows it)
If you help manage care for someone else, you can also ask the clinic how caregivers can join the visit.
Step 4: Make the follow up plan clear
At the end of a telehealth visit, make sure you understand:
- What the clinician thinks is going on
- What you should do next
- When you should seek urgent or emergency care
- Whether you need an in person follow up, labs, or imaging
If anything is unclear, ask the clinician to restate it in simple terms.
Behavioral health telehealth and future in person requirements
In short: Behavioral health telehealth and future in person requirements: Medicare has special telehealth rules for behavioral and mental health services.
Medicare has special telehealth rules for behavioral and mental health services. In addition to permanent changes that removed certain geographic and originating site limits for behavioral health telehealth, Congress also delayed the timing of certain in person requirements tied to tele-mental health.
If you are receiving mental health care virtually, it is reasonable to ask your clinician:
- Whether you will need an in person visit in the future
- How often that would be required under Medicare rules
- What to do if transportation or mobility makes in person care hard
In short: Medicare’s hospice rules have included time limited flexibility allowing telehealth to be used in specific situations, including certain recertification encounters.
Medicare’s hospice rules have included time limited flexibility allowing telehealth to be used in specific situations, including certain recertification encounters. The new law extends key hospice telehealth flexibility through the end of 2027.
If you are supporting someone in hospice, ask the hospice team which visits can be done by telehealth and which must be in person.
What to watch for between now and 2028
In short: What to watch for between now and 2028: This extension lasts through December 31, 2027.
This extension lasts through December 31, 2027. What happens after that depends on future federal action.
As you plan ahead:
- Assume telehealth rules can change again, especially as 2027 ends.
- Keep a simple habit of confirming telehealth coverage when you schedule visits, particularly for specialist care.
- If you are homebound or depend on telehealth, consider discussing a backup plan with your clinician, such as how often you might need in person follow ups.
How Understood Care can help
If you are juggling Medicare rules, appointments, and caregiving, it can help to have support.
Understood Care may be able to help you:
FAQ
In short: FAQ: Did Congress extend Medicare telehealth coverage through 2027?
- Did Congress extend Medicare telehealth coverage through 2027?
Yes. Federal law extended key Medicare telehealth flexibilities through December 31, 2027. - Does Medicare cover telehealth visits at home in 2026 and 2027?
For many services covered under the extended flexibilities, yes. Coverage depends on the service type and Medicare’s rules, so it is still smart to confirm when scheduling. - Does Medicare cover audio only telehealth (phone visits)?
Medicare allows audio only telehealth in certain cases, and the extension continues key flexibilities through 2027. Ask the clinic whether your visit type qualifies as audio only. - How much does a Medicare telehealth visit cost?
For many Part B telehealth services, after you meet the Part B deductible you typically pay 20% of the Medicare approved amount. Your costs can vary based on your coverage and clinician billing. - Do Medicare Advantage plans cover telehealth the same way as Original Medicare?
Not always. Many Medicare Advantage plans offer telehealth benefits, but what is covered and what you pay can differ by plan. - Will I need an in person visit for Medicare tele-mental health services?
Medicare’s mental health telehealth rules include an in person visit requirement in certain circumstances. The timing and details have been delayed by law, but you should confirm with your clinician based on your situation. - What types of appointments are best for telehealth under Medicare?
Follow ups, medication check ins, mental health visits, and reviewing results are often a good fit. New or complex symptoms may still require an in person exam. - What should I do if technology problems or hearing issues make telehealth hard?
Tell the clinic ahead of time. You can ask about phone options when allowed, accessibility features like captions, caregiver participation, and an in person alternative.
References
In short: References: H.R. 7148 (119th Congress), Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 (bill status)https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/7148H.R. 7148 (119th Congress), Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 (bill text)https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/7148/textTelehealth FAQs (CMS), updated 02/04/2026 (PDF)https://www.cms.gov/files/document/telehealth-faq-updated-02-04-2026.pdfTelehealth coverage.
