Millions of Medicare beneficiaries have come to rely on telehealth services for convenient access to doctors, specialists, and follow-up care. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, Medicare temporarily expanded telehealth coverage, allowing many services to be provided virtually from home. However, those expanded rules are set to change at the end of January.
If you or a loved one uses telehealth appointments, it’s important to understand what’s changing, what stays the same, and how to prepare before January 31, 2026.
What’s Happening With Medicare Telehealth Coverage?
Medicare’s expanded telehealth benefits were originally created as a temporary response to the pandemic. These rules removed geographic restrictions and allowed beneficiaries to receive many telehealth services from home.
Congress extended these expanded telehealth flexibilities through January 30, 2026. That means Medicare beneficiaries can continue using many telehealth services under the current rules for a short time longer. However, unless new legislation is passed, Medicare will revert to its pre-pandemic telehealth guidelines beginning January 31, 2026.
Key Telehealth Changes Starting January 31, 2026
Beginning January 31, Medicare will once again place limits on where telehealth services can be received.
Under Original Medicare, most telehealth visits will generally require the beneficiary to be physically located at an approved medical facility, such as a rural health clinic or hospital. Coverage for routine telehealth visits from home will be significantly reduced for beneficiaries living in non-rural areas.
This change may impact beneficiaries who currently rely on telehealth for routine checkups, follow-ups, and ongoing care without leaving home.
Telehealth Services That Will Still Be Covered
Even after the broader telehealth coverage ends, Medicare will continue to cover certain services via telehealth regardless of location.
Mental health and behavioral health services will still be covered through telehealth from home, no matter where the beneficiary lives. Medicare will also continue to cover telehealth for specific critical services, such as evaluation and treatment for stroke symptoms. In addition, home dialysis monitoring for patients with end-stage renal disease will remain eligible for telehealth coverage.
While telehealth will not disappear entirely, coverage will be more limited than it has been over the past several years.
Why These Changes Matter for Medicare Beneficiaries
The rollback of expanded telehealth coverage may affect how beneficiaries access care, especially those with mobility challenges, transportation issues, or busy schedules.
Some beneficiaries may need to return to in-person visits more often, which could increase travel time and out-of-pocket expenses. Others may need to adjust how they schedule appointments or coordinate care with providers who previously offered virtual visits from home.
Understanding these changes now allows beneficiaries to plan ahead and avoid surprises after January 30.
How to Prepare Before the Deadline
Medicare beneficiaries should review their current coverage and speak with their healthcare providers about how upcoming visits will be handled after January 30, 2026. Providers can explain which services will continue to be offered virtually and which will require in-person visits.
Those enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans should also review their plan benefits. Medicare Advantage plans often offer additional telehealth benefits beyond what Original Medicare covers, but coverage varies by plan and provider network.
If telehealth access is an important part of your healthcare routine, now is the time to explore whether your current plan still meets your needs.
What Could Happen Next With Telehealth Policy
Lawmakers and healthcare organizations continue to advocate for permanent telehealth expansions. While there is ongoing discussion about extending or reinstating broader telehealth coverage, no long-term solution has been finalized as of mid-January.
For now, Medicare beneficiaries should plan based on the assumption that current telehealth rules will change on January 31, 2026.
Bottom Line
Medicare telehealth coverage remains in place through January 30, 2026, allowing many beneficiaries to continue receiving care from home. After that date, most telehealth services under Original Medicare will return to more restrictive rules.
Staying informed, reviewing your Medicare coverage, and speaking with your healthcare providers now can help ensure a smooth transition and continued access to the care you need. Schedule an Appointment Here!
