What is Telehealth?

Telehealth is a service that allows you to visit doctors remotely, either over the phone or through online meeting software. This allows you to see doctors that are located elsewhere to receive many of the services you would in person. You can accomplish entire office visits over the phone. These services are generally included in rural healthcare plan settings, but are sometimes available to everyone. One of the most common exceptions being treatment of mental health disorders.

Original Medicare and Telehealth costs

Some telehealth services are covered under Part B of original Medicare. Once you have met your Part B deductible, you will be required to pay the usual 20% coinsurance for your doctor or any other Medicare approved services you receive. Make sure the doctor you use accepts assignment and will bill Medicare for the services or items that you need. Also, be aware that many fraudsters have used telehealth as an opportunity to call Medicare beneficiaries and sell and then bill Medicare for services or items that they did not request over the phone.

Medicare Advantage Plans coverage of Telehealth

Once again, Medicare Advantage steps in to provide additional benefits where Original Medicare may be falling short. While Original Medicare gives you access to a broader network of doctors, there are some Medicare Advantage plans designed with Telehealth in mind.

These plans are considered Medicare Accountable Care Organization (ACOs) plans. They offer many of the same advantages of other types of Medicare Advantage plans. Additionally, they are designed to provide more Telehealth benefits no matter where you’re located. Each provider we use has their own ACOs plans with varying benefits. Be sure to check each plan carefully before making your choice.

As always, we would be more than willing to help you find the plan that best matches your healthcare and budget needs.