- Telemedicine is the use of technology, such as videoconferencing, phone, or email, to provide medical care and services remotely. Telemedicine allows individuals to receive medical care from the comfort of their own home or other location, rather than having to travel to a healthcare facility.
- Medicare, the federal health insurance program for individuals who are aged sixty-five or older or who have certain disabilities, covers certain telemedicine services. Medicare coverage of telemedicine varies depending on the type of service and the location of the beneficiary.
- In general, Medicare covers telemedicine services that are provided by a healthcare professional and that are medically necessary. This may include services such as virtual check-ins, e-visits, and remote monitoring. Medicare may also cover telemedicine services that are provided as part of a clinical trial or as a follow-up to an in-person visit.
- To be eligible for Medicare coverage of telemedicine services, an individual must be located in a rural area or in an area that is designated as a Health Professional Shortage Area. Additionally, the individual must be receiving the telemedicine services from a healthcare professional who is enrolled in the Medicare program and who is authorized to provide the service in the state where the individual is located.
- If a Medicare beneficiary is interested in receiving telemedicine services, they should check with their healthcare provider to see if telemedicine services are offered and to verify if those services are covered by Medicare. Beneficiaries can also visit the Medicare website to learn more about coverage of telemedicine services.
- Overall, telemedicine is an important tool that allows individuals to receive medical care remotely, and Medicare covers certain telemedicine services for eligible beneficiaries. If a Medicare beneficiary is interested in receiving telemedicine services, it is important to check with their healthcare provider and their
Medicare plan to see what is covered.
