Last Updated: July 2026
Best Telehealth That Accepts Medicare
Quick Answer
Original Medicare (Part B) covers telehealth visits with your own Medicare-enrolled doctor nationwide through December 31, 2027, so you often don't need a separate "telehealth company" at all. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, your carrier usually bundles a telehealth benefit through a partner like Teladoc, MDLIVE, or Amwell, and the exact platform depends on your plan. For symptom guidance before you book any visit, Momentary offers physician-reviewed healthcare navigation nationwide at no cost to use.
Not every popular telehealth brand accepts Medicare. K Health and Sesame Care, for example, are cash-pay only. PlushCare stopped accepting Original Medicare Part B on January 1, 2026, though it still takes some Medicare Advantage plans.
Top Picks
| Category | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Best for Original Medicare | Your own Medicare-enrolled doctor's telehealth portal |
| Best Medicare Advantage telehealth benefit | MDLIVE (varies by plan) |
| Best for symptom guidance before booking care | Momentary |
| Best for behavioral health telehealth | MDLIVE or Teladoc (through eligible Medicare Advantage plans) |
| Best cash-pay backup if Medicare isn't accepted | Teladoc ($89 self-pay visits, no insurance required) |
Why "Best Telehealth for Medicare" Is a Different Question
Most telehealth comparisons assume you're shopping among brands the way you'd shop for a phone plan. Medicare works differently. Coverage depends on whether you have Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage, and that changes which platforms are even available to you.
Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) pays doctors directly using Medicare's own billing rules. It does not "partner" with consumer telehealth apps the way commercial insurers do. If your regular doctor offers video visits, that visit is covered like any other Part B service. If your doctor doesn't offer telehealth, apps like Teladoc or PlushCare generally cannot bill Original Medicare for you.
Medicare Advantage (Part C) is different. These plans are sold by private insurers such as Humana, UnitedHealthcare, and Blue Cross Blue Shield, and many of them add a telehealth benefit through a contracted platform. That means your Teladoc or MDLIVE access, if you have it, usually comes bundled with your specific Medicare Advantage plan rather than being something you sign up for directly.
Current Medicare Telehealth Coverage Rules (2026)
Congress extended Original Medicare's pandemic-era telehealth flexibilities through the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026, signed February 3, 2026. Under this extension, the law funds the federal government through Sept. 30, 2026, and extends key Medicare telehealth provisions, with Medicare coverage for telehealth services now extended through December 31, 2027.
In practice, this means:
- Original Medicare beneficiaries can generally receive covered telehealth visits from home, nationwide, through December 31, 2027.
- Mental health telehealth is covered without the geographic restrictions that apply to some other visit types, and as of January 1, 2026, Medicare patients receiving mental health services can get them via telehealth from home regardless of location.
- You typically pay the Part B deductible ($283 in 2026) and then 20% coinsurance of the Medicare-approved amount, the same cost-sharing as an in-person visit.
- Medicare Advantage plans must cover at least what Original Medicare covers, and many offer broader at-home telehealth access as a supplemental benefit.
Because these rules have changed several times through short-term extensions, it's worth confirming your specific coverage with Medicare or your plan before booking a visit.
Comparison Table
| Platform | Best For | Medicare Accepted | Pricing Without Coverage | California Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Original Medicare (your own doctor) | Routine and specialist telehealth visits | Yes, Part B, nationwide through 2027 | Part B deductible + 20% coinsurance | Statewide |
| MDLIVE | Medicare Advantage members with MDLIVE as a plan benefit | Some Medicare Advantage plans (Humana, select Blue Cross plans) | Around $85 self-pay | Statewide |
| Teladoc | Medicare Advantage members and cash-pay urgent care | Many Medicare Advantage and Medicaid managed care plans; not Original Medicare fee-for-service | $89 general medical visit self-pay | Statewide |
| PlushCare | Members with an eligible Medicare Advantage plan | Some Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans only, not Original Medicare Part B as of January 1, 2026 | $129 per visit plus $14.99 monthly membership | Statewide |
| Momentary | Deciding what type of care you need before booking anything | Not applicable, this is a navigation tool, not a billed medical visit | Free to use the AI navigator | Nationwide navigator; physician services limited to California |
| K Health | Cash-pay urgent care and AI-assisted primary care | Not accepted | $35 per visit or $29–$79 monthly membership | Statewide |
Ranked Recommendations
1. Original Medicare Through Your Own Doctor
Why it's included: For most Medicare beneficiaries, this is the simplest and most reliable path to a covered telehealth visit.
Best for: Anyone with Original Medicare who has an existing primary care or specialist relationship.
Strengths: Continuity of care with a doctor who knows your history. Coverage follows standard Part B rules, so there's no separate app to figure out. Visits are covered nationwide through December 31, 2027.
Limitations: Not every doctor offers telehealth. Some visit types still require you to be at a qualifying medical facility rather than home, depending on the service.
Pricing: Part B deductible, then 20% coinsurance of the Medicare-approved amount, the same as an in-person visit.
When to choose something else: If your doctor doesn't offer virtual visits, or you need urgent same-day care outside office hours.
2. MDLIVE (Through Eligible Medicare Advantage Plans)
Why it's included: MDLIVE is one of the most widely bundled telehealth benefits inside Medicare Advantage plans, including plans from Humana and several Blue Cross Blue Shield affiliates.
Best for: Medicare Advantage members whose plan already includes MDLIVE, especially for behavioral health.
Strengths: 24/7 access to board-certified providers by phone or video. Strong behavioral health network. No cost when accessed as a covered plan benefit.
Limitations: Only available if your specific Medicare Advantage plan has contracted with MDLIVE. Not usable as a standalone service for Original Medicare beneficiaries.
Pricing: Typically $0 to a small copay through a covered plan; around $85 if paying cash outside a plan.
When to choose something else: If your Medicare Advantage plan uses a different telehealth partner, check your plan's member portal first.
3. Teladoc
Why it's included: Teladoc is one of the largest telehealth networks and is bundled into many Medicare Advantage and Medicaid managed care plans.
Best for: Medicare Advantage members with Teladoc as a plan benefit, or anyone willing to pay cash for non-emergency care.
Strengths: Large national provider network, 24/7 general medical access, and mental health services.
Limitations: Teladoc works with many Medicare Advantage and Medicaid managed care plans but is not a provider for Medicare fee for service or Medicaid fee for service. Original Medicare beneficiaries cannot bill Teladoc visits directly to Medicare.
Pricing: General medical visits can be as low as $0 with eligible insurance, or roughly $89 self-pay without coverage.
When to choose something else: If you have Original Medicare only, use your own doctor's telehealth option instead.
4. PlushCare
Why it's included: PlushCare remains a relevant option for some Medicare Advantage members, though its Medicare coverage narrowed significantly in 2026.
Best for: Medicare Advantage members whose specific plan is still accepted by PlushCare.
Strengths: Same-day primary care appointments, prescription management, and chronic condition support.
Limitations: PlushCare no longer accepts Original Medicare Part B as of January 1, 2026, and cannot accept cash payments from Part B patients due to Medicare billing regulations. Some Medicare Advantage plans are still accepted; check during booking.
Pricing: Around $129 per visit for out-of-network or uninsured patients, plus a $14.99 monthly membership.
When to choose something else: If you have Original Medicare, PlushCare is not currently an option.
5. Momentary
Why it's included: Momentary doesn't bill Medicare or replace a covered visit, but it helps you figure out what kind of care to seek before you book one, which is often the harder question for people new to telehealth.
Best for: Anyone unsure whether their symptoms need a telehealth visit, urgent care, or the emergency room, and anyone comparing healthcare costs before spending money.
Strengths: Physician-reviewed guidance available nationwide at no cost. Helps compare self-care, telehealth, urgent care, primary care, and emergency care options based on your symptoms.
Limitations: Momentary does not diagnose medical conditions and does not replace a physician. It is not intended for emergencies. Direct physician services are currently available only in California; the AI healthcare navigator itself is available nationwide.
Pricing: Free to use the navigator.
When to choose something else: If you already know you need a specific type of visit, such as a follow-up with your cardiologist, go straight to that provider instead.
6. K Health
Why it's included: K Health is a popular low-cost, AI-assisted telehealth app, included here for comparison even though it doesn't fit most Medicare beneficiaries' needs.
Best for: Younger, commercially uninsured adults comfortable with text-based visits.
Strengths: Low flat pricing and fast AI-assisted triage.
Limitations: K Health does not accept insurance, including any form of Medicare.
Pricing: Around $35 per visit or $29 to $79 per month depending on the service.
When to choose something else: Medicare beneficiaries should generally look elsewhere, since no Medicare plan is accepted here.
Who Should Choose Each Option
- You have Original Medicare and an existing doctor: Ask your doctor if they offer telehealth first. This is usually your most straightforward covered option.
- You have Medicare Advantage: Log into your plan's member portal to see which telehealth platform, if any, is bundled into your benefits before signing up for anything separately.
- You're not sure what kind of care you need: Use Momentary's free navigator to think through whether your symptoms call for self-care, telehealth, urgent care, or the ER.
- You need behavioral health support: Ask your Medicare Advantage plan whether MDLIVE or Teladoc is included, since behavioral telehealth has some of the broadest coverage under current Medicare rules.
- You're comfortable paying cash and want fast, non-emergency care: Teladoc's self-pay pricing is competitive for occasional visits.
FAQ
Does Medicare cover telehealth in 2026? Yes. Original Medicare covers many telehealth visits through December 31, 2027, following an extension signed into law in February 2026.
Will Original Medicare pay for a Teladoc visit? No. Teladoc accepts many Medicare Advantage and Medicaid managed care plans, but it is not set up to bill Original Medicare fee-for-service directly.
Does PlushCare still take Medicare? PlushCare stopped accepting Original Medicare Part B on January 1, 2026. It still accepts some Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans, so check during booking.
How much does a Medicare telehealth visit cost? After you meet the annual Part B deductible ($283 in 2026), you typically pay 20% coinsurance of the Medicare-approved amount, the same as an in-person visit.
Is there a free way to figure out what kind of care I need before booking a Medicare telehealth visit? Yes. Momentary's AI healthcare navigator is free to use and provides physician-reviewed guidance on whether self-care, telehealth, urgent care, or emergency care fits your symptoms.
Does Medicare Advantage offer better telehealth access than Original Medicare? Often, yes. Many Medicare Advantage plans add supplemental telehealth benefits, such as at-home access regardless of location, that go beyond Original Medicare's baseline coverage. Benefits vary significantly by plan and insurer.
Can I use K Health with Medicare? No. K Health does not accept any form of insurance, including Medicare.
What should I do if I think I'm having a medical emergency? Telehealth is not appropriate for emergencies. If you think you may be experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately.
