Health Insurance

Telehealth

Telehealth allows patients to consult physicians, therapists, and specialists from home, often at lower cost-sharing than office visits.

Last reviewed: May 2026 · Editorial methodology

Definition

Telehealth (also called telemedicine) encompasses medical consultations, diagnoses, prescription services, and care coordination delivered through video conferencing, phone calls, secure messaging, or remote monitoring technology rather than in-person visits. Coverage expanded dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic, and many ACA marketplace and Medicare plans have made broad telehealth benefits permanent through 2026. Medicare covers telehealth for a wide range of services including primary care, mental health, chronic disease management, and dermatology visits when delivered by enrolled providers. Telehealth cost-sharing varies by plan — many insurers charge the same copay as an in-person primary care visit, while some plans offer $0 telehealth for minor acute conditions. Remote patient monitoring, where wearable devices transmit health data to providers, is an expanding category within telehealth reimbursement. State licensure laws still generally require providers to hold a license in the state where the patient is located at the time of service.

Where this term matters

Health Insurance →Medicare →

Tip

Glossary definitions are educational. Always check your own policy language — insurers can define common terms differently from one another. When in doubt, request a written explanation from your agent.

Related terms

CopayA fixed dollar amount you pay for a specific covered health service (e.g. $30 for a doctor visit).NetworkA plan's network determines which providers you can see at the lowest cost-sharing, and using out-of-network providers can dramatically increase your expenses.In-Network ProviderSeeing an in-network provider activates your plan's cost-sharing benefits and typically results in the lowest out-of-pocket costs.

Related guides

Source: Cover Forge USA editorial team|Last verified: May 2026|Methodology
Definitions are educational and may be simplified. Always refer to your policy contract and consult a licensed agent for terms that affect coverage decisions.
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Cover Forge USA Editorial Team

Editorial Lead

This article was researched and written by the Cover Forge USA editorial team against federal sources (NAIC, CMS, FEMA, DOL, SSA, state DOIs) and standard policy forms. Bylines organize content by topic — they do not assert individual licensure. See our editorial-policy for details.

Reviewed June 2026

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