As of April 1, 2025, Medicare has officially rolled back many of its expanded telehealth benefits that were introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic. For millions of beneficiaries who became used to the convenience of virtual care from home, this change may affect how — and where — you receive certain types of medical services.
Here’s what’s changed, what hasn’t, and how you can adapt to the new rules moving forward.
What Changed on April 1, 2025
Until March 31, 2025, Medicare allowed most telehealth services to be provided from anywhere, including your home, regardless of where you lived. That flexibility is now over.
Starting April 1, Medicare will only cover most telehealth services if you’re physically located in a rural area and inside a medical facility — such as a doctor’s office, clinic, or hospital — at the time of your virtual visit.
This means:
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If you live in a city or suburban area, you can no longer receive general telehealth services from home and expect Medicare to pay for them.
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If you live in a rural area but try to attend a telehealth appointment from home instead of a clinic, that visit might not be covered.
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Your provider must document your location for Medicare to approve the service.
What’s Still Covered From Home
The good news is that telehealth for mental and behavioral health care remains available from your home, no matter where you live.
This includes virtual visits for:
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Therapy and counseling
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Psychiatry
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Medication management for mental health
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Substance use disorder treatment
These services can still be delivered via video or phone without requiring a trip to a clinic, and they’re fully covered by Medicare under Part B, as long as you meet other standard coverage requirements.
Why the Change Happened
The pandemic led to a temporary expansion of telehealth to help people get care while staying safe at home. But these changes weren’t meant to be permanent. The end of the public health emergency in 2023 set the clock ticking, and now that the extension through early 2025 has expired, Medicare has returned to stricter pre-pandemic rules for most services.
The rollback is driven partly by cost concerns and an effort to prevent overuse or fraud. Critics, however, say it may reduce access to care, especially for those who are homebound or lack reliable transportation.
What This Means for You Now
If you’re a Medicare beneficiary who has been using telehealth from home for routine visits, you may now need to change how you access your care. Here’s what you should know and do:
1. Talk to Your Providers
Call your doctor’s office and ask:
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Are they still offering telehealth?
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Can they schedule you at a nearby clinic for virtual visits if needed?
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What in-person options are available?
In many cases, your provider may be able to offer in-office video visits where you go to a clinic but still connect virtually with a specialist located elsewhere.
2. Check Your Zip Code
To receive covered telehealth services (non-mental health) under Medicare, you must be located in a rural area. Use the Rural Health Information Hub to find out if your location qualifies.
If you’re not in a rural area, home-based telehealth for most services is no longer covered.
3. Review Your Medicare Advantage Plan
If you’re enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan, you might still have access to telehealth from home. Some plans offer this as an extra benefit — even for people in non-rural areas.
Call your plan or check your benefits statement to confirm:
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Whether home-based virtual visits are still covered
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What types of services are included
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Any out-of-pocket costs
4. Lean Into Mental Health Services
Behavioral and mental health care remains accessible from home. If you’ve been meaning to try therapy or speak with a counselor, this is a good time to explore your options.
Teletherapy can help with:
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Anxiety and depression
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Grief and loss
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Chronic illness stress
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Caregiver burnout
No travel needed. Just schedule with a provider who accepts Medicare and offers virtual sessions.
Common Questions Answered
Q: What if I have mobility issues and can’t get to a clinic?
You may be eligible for in-home care or transportation support through local programs or Medicaid (if you’re dual eligible). Ask your provider or SHIP counselor about resources in your area.
Q: What if I was using telehealth for chronic condition management?
Check if your provider can switch to in-person visits, or if you qualify for remote patient monitoring (RPM), which is still covered for certain conditions like heart disease or diabetes.
Q: Are audio-only (phone) visits still allowed?
In most cases, Medicare now requires video for covered services — except for mental health, where audio-only sessions are still permitted if video is not available.
Next Steps for Patients
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Don’t cancel care. If you relied on virtual visits, talk to your provider about in-person options or alternative arrangements.
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Use mental health coverage. Even if general telehealth is restricted, you still have full access to virtual behavioral health.
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Update your contact info. Make sure your provider has your correct mailing address and phone number, especially if they need to notify you about changes in visit locations.
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Know your rights. If you’re denied coverage for a visit you thought was eligible, you can appeal. Call 1-800-MEDICARE or talk to your SHIP counselor for help.
Bottom Line
The Medicare telehealth landscape has changed — but it’s not all bad news. While non-rural, home-based virtual care is now limited, mental health services remain available from anywhere. And if you live in a rural area or have a Medicare Advantage Plan, you may still have access to more remote care options than you think.
The key is to stay informed, work with your providers, and explore the benefits that still exist.
Need help understanding your options?
Call 1-800-MEDICARE, visit Medicare.gov, or find free assistance through shiphelp.org.
