Does Medicare pay for telehealth visits with specialists, or is it limited to primary care?

Question

Steve Houchens · Accepted Answer

Yes many do. It’s important to know the limitations involved for your specific plan, so be sure to ask questions and check those situations before you make a choice on your plan if that’s an important issue for you.

Answered by Steve Houchens on April 10, 2025

Agent Licensed in KY & TN

Answered by Steve Houchens Medicare Insurance Agent

Lt Col Tim Brown · Answer

You can do both.  Tim Brown. I’m licensed in 13 states. 
Feel free to contact me.

Christopher Boyd · Answer

Original Medicare will cover telehealth visits. Medicare Advantage plans may not cover telehealth visits for out-of-network providers.

Shelly Hefley · Answer

Yes, Medicare will pay for telehealth, as necessary for covered medical care. Most providers are aware of coverage limits and will not provide services if not covered unless they inform you in writing, before the service is provided.

Answered by Shelly Hefley on August 13, 2025

Broker Licensed in IN, AL, IL, KY & TN

Answered by Shelly Hefley Medicare Insurance Agent

Nikki Rowland · Answer

Virtual coverage was expanded significantly during the COVID‑19 pandemic for obvious reasons. 
However, those expansions were temporary, and certain rules have changed or tightened since 2025.

For example, some telehealth services now require the patient to be in a rural location, although mental health telehealth from home remains allowed.

The key is whether the specific service is on Medicare’s approved telehealth list and whether any location restrictions apply at the time of your visit.  I suggest you checking first. Some plans do not allow them any longer.

Sandra Teel · Answer

As of September 2025, Medicare stopped paying for telehealth visits. Some Medicare insurance companies have decided to include telehealth as an additional benefit to their policies. If this is an important benefit to you, you will need to do your homework to see which Medicare plans offer telehealth.

Answered by Sandra Teel on April 8, 2026

Broker Licensed in WV, AZ, CA & 13 other states

Answered by Sandra Teel Medicare Insurance Agent

Mark Cunningham · Answer

Medicare does pay for telehealth visits with specialists, not just primary care providers. Beneficiaries can use telehealth services to consult with a wide range of healthcare professionals, including specialists such as cardiologists, endocrinologists, and mental health providers. Coverage may vary depending on the specific service and provider, so it is important to check for any restrictions or requirements related to telehealth visits under Medicare.

Answered by Mark Cunningham on April 20, 2026

Agent Licensed in CO, FL, GA & NE, VA, WI & WY

Answered by Mark Cunningham Medicare Insurance Agent

Robert Fracchia · Answer

YES....   there is a $0 copay for virtual visits with primary care, specialist and behavioral health providers

Jay Carlton · Answer

Medicare's Part B allows for you to do telehealth with both a Primary Care and a Specialist. They are covered in the same way as if you wast to go in person.

Glorines Pardo-Garcia · Answer

Yes, Medicare covers specialists for telehealth—it isn't just for your primary care doctor. You can see cardiologists, dermatologists, and even mental health counselors from the comfort of your home.

Answered by Glorines Pardo-Garcia on February 16, 2026

Broker Licensed in FL, IA, MA & TX

Answered by Glorines Pardo-Garcia Medicare Insurance Agent

Olivia Kolbe · Answer

Good afternoon I will be glad to help you with your Medicare questions 
Can you please give me a call to set up a time to talk about it ?

Steven Bleicher · Answer

I am sorry to say that this year, some plans eliminated telehealth visits since nobody was using them. Please check your own plan by calling the toll-free number on the back of your plastic card.

Ron Cronwell · Answer

if the plan covers telehealth, usually that includes specialists as well as specialists. Although you may not have access to your usual primary care doctor, there are many available through telehealth.

Answered by Ron Cronwell on March 9, 2026

Agent Licensed in TN

Answered by Ron Cronwell Medicare Insurance Agent

Barbara Barnes, CMIP® · Answer

Medicare pays for Medical visits with primary care doctors and specialists, as long as they’re medically necessary.

Walt Smith · Answer

Medicare usually pays for all telehealth visits not just the primary care doctor.   This can be available benefit it safely a lot of trips and a lot of wait time in the office.

Bruce Kern · Answer

IT DEPENDS ON WHICH MEDICARE iNSURANCE PLAN YOU ARE ON.
Weather you are on Medicare Advantage or a Medicare supplement Plan.

Kathy Adams · Answer

I believe original Medicare Parts A and B doesn't cover telehealth, BUT if you're on Medicare Advantage Plan,  this coverage is covered

Tawshawa Bullock · Answer

Yes, Medicare does cover telehealth visits with specialists, not just primary care. As long as the provider accepts Medicare and the service is an approved Medicare service.

Linda Stemerman · Answer

Do you have only original Medicare or other insurance, such as an Advantage plan
Or a Medicare Medigap plan?

Fred Manas · Answer

Yes, Medicare does cover telehealth visits with specialists, not just primary care. Original Medicare Part B covers a wide range of telehealth services, including those provided by specialists, under the same rules as in-person visits. These services can be accessed remotely through two-way interactive audio and video, and include things like physician consultations, office visits, and mental health services. 
Elaboration:
Expanded Coverage:
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Medicare expanded its telehealth coverage, allowing beneficiaries to receive services in their homes and without geographic restrictions. This expansion has since been extended. 
Geographic Restrictions:
While some restrictions on location exist for certain services, many telehealth visits are now available regardless of where the beneficiary is located, as long as they are within the US. 
Type of Services:
Medicare Part B covers a variety of telehealth services, including:
Primary care and other triage visits 
Specialist consultations 
Psychotherapy and mental health services 
Occupational therapy and physical therapy 
Provider Types:
Many providers can offer telehealth services, including doctors, nurse practitioners, clinical psychologists, and licensed clinical social workers. 
Cost-Sharing:
Medicare beneficiaries typically pay a 20% coinsurance and the Part B deductible for telehealth visits, similar to in-person visits.

Gary Henderson · Answer

Yes, Medicare does cover telehealth visits with specialists, not just primary care. As long as the provider accepts Medicare and the service is an approved Medicare service.

Answered by Tawshawa Bullock on May 12, 2026

Broker Licensed in VA, CO, DC & 8 other states

Answered by Tawshawa Bullock Medicare Insurance Agent

Suzanne Lamperti · Answer

If you have a Medicare Advantage HMO, you will need preauthorization to see a specialist, and it MUST be in network.

Dean Chiapetto · Answer

Yes! Medicare will cover telehealth for specialists. The specialist must be able to bill Medicare and most of the time you need to be able to do a video call.

Rodolfo Rojas · Answer

It depends on what type of Medicare do you. If you have Medicare Advantage-C- yes. 
If you are in original Medicare, which is A and B, depends on where you go. You may have 20% coinsurance. An agent would have to do a need analysis to provide you with correct information. 
If you have MediGap, you are covered.

Charles Borg · Answer

In most cases yes. There are some rules that apply.  
Patients must be in a designated rural area. There may be a copayment or coinsurance for the visit.

Dominic Javier · Answer

To get an E-visit, Telehealth, you must request one with your doctor or other provider. You will pay the 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for your doctor's or other provider services. The Part B deductible applies. The E-visits allow you to talk with your provider using an online patient portal.

Answered by Dominic Javier on April 22, 2025

Broker Licensed in TX

Answered by Dominic Javier Medicare Insurance Agent

Kathleen Gonzales-Byrd · Answer

Yes, Medicare does pay for telehealth visits for specialty care visits.  Your specialty provider will let you know if they offer televisits

Kim Mitchell-Hargis · Answer

Some Medicare Advantage plans have telehealth for specialists.  It just depends on the insurance carrier.  You could check it out on Medicare.gov website.

Julia Alves · Answer

Medicare does pay for telehealth specialist visits, not just primary care, but coverage depends on the type of visit and current Medicare rules (as starting Feb. 1st, 2026 you must live in a rural area and go to an office or medical facility that’s also in a rural area for most telehealth services) for Original Medicare. However, many Medicare Advantage plans make telehealth easier and more flexible.

Answered by Julia Alves on January 12, 2026

Broker Licensed in FL, AZ, GA & 5 other states

Answered by Julia Alves Medicare Insurance Agent

Michael Gilman · Answer

Teleheatlth visits: 
Medicare covers a wide range of specialist visits via telehealth, and these flexibilities are locked in through 2027.

Rachida Silva · Answer

Yes, Medicare does cover telehealth visits with specialists—it is not limited to primary care.
Currently, if a specialist (such as a cardiologist, dermatologist, or oncologist) is an eligible Medicare provider and their services are medically necessary, you can see them via telehealth just as you would in person.
However, there is a major change coming this month that you should be aware of regarding where you can be during that call.

Rachael Metcalf · Answer

Medicare does not. But your Medicare Advantage plan will have that benefit included. It is not just limited to primary care.  (covers, PCP, spec, rehab and mental health therapy)

Edward Pevnick · Answer

Medicqre currently will pay for a Telehealth visit with a Specialist. Keep in mind some plans require a referral from the Primary Care Physician.

Angela Tapp · Answer

Yes, Medicare absolutely covers telehealth visits with specialists. It is not limited to primary care. Under Medicare rules, you can consult with covered specialists like Cardiologists and Dermatologists to name a few, right from the comfort of your own home. You will have to pay your Part B coinsurance for the visit just as you would if you were to see the specialist in person. While Original Medicare covers these visits under Part B, if you have a Medicare Advantage plan, the network rules and copays might differ slightly. As your partner in healthcare, I always recommend letting me double-check your specific plan guidelines before your appointment so there are no surprises.

Answered by Angela Tapp on May 27, 2026

Agent Licensed in TX, AL, AR & 26 other states

Answered by Angela Tapp Medicare Insurance Agent

Britania James · Answer

Many Medicare Advantage plans cover telehealth visits. It depends on the specific plan. Review the Summary of Benefits for your specific plan for coverage of telehealth.

Dalton Johnson · Answer

When and if your provider or Dr accepts assignment, then Medicare will pay its share for a virtual visit. If you have a supplement or advantage plan most of these also have virtual care benefits.

Chris Neal · Answer

Typically Specialists are covered as well for telehealth. Depending on which plan you are on the copay could be as low as $0

Shawn Watzlawick · Answer

Medicare covers certain telehealth services you get from a doctor or other health care provider who’s located elsewhere using technology to communicate with you in real time. Telehealth can provide many services that generally occur in-person, including office visits, psychotherapy, consultations, and certain other medical or health services. 

Through December 31, 2024, you can get telehealth services at any location in the U.S., including your home. After this period, you must be in an office or medical facility located in a rural area to get most telehealth services. However, you’ll still be able to get certain telehealth services without being in a rural area.

 They include: 
• Monthly End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) visits for home dialysis 
• Services for diagnosis, evaluation, or treatment of symptoms of an acute stroke wherever you are, including in a mobile stroke unit 
• Services to treat a substance use disorder or a co-occurring mental health disorder or for the diagnosis, evaluation, or treatment of a mental health disorder, including in your home 
• Behavioral health services (also called mental health services), including in your home 
• Diabetes self-management training 
• Medical nutrition therapy 

You pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for your doctor or other health care provider or practitioner’s services. The Part B deductible applies. For most of these services, you’ll pay the same amount you would if you got the services in person.