What Medicare telehealth covers
Under current law, Medicare covers telehealth services you get from anywhere in the U.S., including your home, through December 31, 2027. Medicare.gov lists examples such as:
- Office visits with your doctor or other provider
- Outpatient psychotherapy and depression screening
- Cognitive assessments and advance care planning
- Cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation
- Diabetes self-management training and medical nutrition therapy
- Speech therapy and caregiver training
Medicare may cover more. Ask your provider whether a visit can be done by telehealth before you book it.
What you pay
Part B covers telehealth. After the Part B deductible ($283 in 2026), you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount. For most services the cost is the same as an in-person visit. Your share can also depend on other coverage you have, whether your doctor accepts assignment and the type of facility.
Medicare Advantage plans must cover the telehealth services Original Medicare covers, and some offer more. Extra benefits vary by plan and county, may have limits and costs, and not every plan offers them. Check a plan's Summary of Benefits or Evidence of Coverage.
Why it matters in Oregon
Much of eastern and southern Oregon is far from specialists, and some counties have no Medicare Advantage plan open to everyone (see your county). Telehealth can save a long drive for follow-ups, therapy and medication checks.
Oregon's own telehealth law, ORS 743A.058, requires commercial health plans to cover telemedicine, including audio-only visits, when they cover the same service in person, and to pay the same rate. OHP has a similar rule. These state laws don't change Original Medicare, whose telehealth rules are federal. If you have both Medicare and OHP, Medicare pays first.
After 2027
Medicare.gov does not yet say what happens after December 31, 2027. Congress has extended telehealth rules several times since 2020. Federal law already lets people get mental and behavioral health care by telehealth at home, though an in-person visit may also be required; your provider can tell you what applies. More on rural care in our rural Oregon Medicare guide.
Related questions
What is a critical access hospital in Oregon?
Oregon's 25 small rural hospitals.
Does Medicare cover mental health in Oregon?
Therapy, counseling and more.
How do I find Medicare doctors in Oregon?
Care Compare and plan directories.
Sources
- Medicare.gov — Telehealth
- Oregon Legislature — ORS chapter 743A (ORS 743A.058, telemedicine)
- Medicare.gov — Medicare costs
More questions in this guide
- Can I get an early prescription refill during a wildfire?
- Does Medicare pay for an air purifier for wildfire smoke or a generator for my oxygen?
- Is there a Medicare special enrollment period after an Oregon wildfire?
- What happens to my Medicare if I evacuate for a wildfire?
- What is a critical access hospital in Oregon?
Part of the guide: Medicare in Rural Oregon · All questions
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a video device for telehealth?
Not always. Medicare covers telehealth by audio and video, and by audio only in some cases. Ask your provider whether a phone visit works for the service you need.
Can my Oregon doctor see me by telehealth if I'm in another state?
It depends on licensing. Your provider generally must be licensed in the state where you are during the visit, so ask before you schedule.
Is telehealth cheaper than an in-person visit?
Usually not. Medicare.gov says that for most telehealth services you pay the same amount as in person. Medigap or other coverage may pay some or all of your share.
What happens to Medicare telehealth after 2027?
Medicare.gov doesn't say yet. Congress has extended these rules several times. Check Medicare.gov or ask your provider in late 2027.
Medicare in your Oregon county
Plans, local agents and help, county by county: Multnomah · Washington · Clackamas · Lane · Marion · Jackson · Deschutes · Linn · Douglas · Yamhill · Benton · Polk · Josephine · Umatilla · Klamath · Coos · Columbia · Lincoln · Clatsop · Malheur · All 36 counties →
