Covered Virtual Services and Approved Healthcare Providers
Medicare Part B covers a broad selection of primary and specialty services delivered via telehealth. These appointments replace traditional office visits without requiring time in waiting rooms.
Routine and Preventive Medical Services
You can consult your regular primary care physician for routine checkups, chronic disease management, and prescription medication adjustments. Doctors evaluate symptoms, review lab results, and adjust care plans virtually.
Medicare Part B also covers specific wellness screenings and lifestyle support sessions at home. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) includes several vital preventative services on its approved telehealth list:
- Annual wellness visits and routine office consultations
- Cognitive assessments to check for signs of dementia or impairment
- Depression screenings and annual behavioral health reviews
- Medical nutrition therapy (MNT) for chronic conditions like kidney disease
- Diabetes self-management training (DSMT)
- Cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation sessions
- Caregiver training and advance care planning discussions
Additionally, the Medicare & You 2027 handbook highlights expanded virtual options for the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program (MDPP). Beneficiaries at risk for Type 2 diabetes can complete this proven lifestyle coaching program entirely online.
Expanded Provider Categories Through 2027
Under pre-waiver law, only physicians and a narrow group of practitioners could bill Medicare for virtual appointments. The 2026 budget extension preserves expanded provider eligibility through December 31, 2027.
You can receive covered telehealth services from physical therapists (PTs), occupational therapists (OTs), and speech-language pathologists (SLPs). Licensed audiologists can also deliver hearing evaluations and consultations remotely.
During virtual physical or occupational therapy, your therapist evaluates your movement through your camera. They guide you through rehabilitative exercises, assess home safety, and adjust your recovery regimen.
Furthermore, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) can continue serving as distant-site telehealth providers through 2027. This ensures community health centers can treat established patients remotely.
