By John I. Adams
This month, I’m writing to you with an urgent, important update. With exceptions only for acute strokes, at-home dialysis treatments, and mental and behavioral health disorders, Medicare Part B will no longer cover telehealth services unless you both live in a rural area and go to a doctor’s office or medical facility that’s also in a rural area.
The change took effect on January 31st, and millions will lose an important healthcare benefit.
What is telehealth?
Telehealth, also known as telemedicine, includes medical and health services provided via video or phone. It replaces services that generally occur in person, such as doctor’s office visits, psychotherapy, consultations, and more.
Why is Part B’s telehealth coverage going away?
The first Trump Administration greatly expanded Medicare Part B’s coverage of telehealth services to cover all beneficiaries in March 2020, when COVID-19 became a public health emergency. At the time, Medicare said the change would be temporary for the duration of the pandemic, so this policy change is returning to pre-pandemic norms.
Why should seniors speak out on this?
Telehealth didn’t just save lives during the pandemic. It did a lot more than that. Going to the doctor became a lot easier for people who have limited physical mobility or depend on someone else to take them to their appointments. At least one study found that higher telehealth use among Medicare beneficiaries was correlated with a lower likelihood of opioid overdoses.
The fact is that telehealth is a common-sense addition to Medicare, especially since academic research suggests it can lower costs for both beneficiaries and healthcare providers. Why would any American be alright with taking that away?
Is Medicare’s telehealth coverage likely to return?
Possibly. President Trump’s first administration finalized the permanent expansion of telehealth for Medicare in December 2020, highlighting it as an innovative improvement to the healthcare experience—which it was! That means there’s a chance the policy changes again, especially if seniors like us mount a public pressure campaign. Our votes matter in the 2026 midterms, and we need to use them to hold both political parties accountable for protecting our retirement benefits.