Does Medicare Cover Online Therapy? Coverage Guide 2026.
Medicare Part B covers telehealth mental health services — and pandemic-era expansions made it easier to access online therapy from home.
Your Medicare type (Original Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage) determines your exact telehealth options. Both cover online therapy.
Medicare and Online Therapy — What We Know
Coverage status: Yes — Part B and most Medicare Advantage plans
Platforms commonly in-network: Talkspace, Headway, Grow Therapy, Amwell
Typical cost with insurance: 20% of Medicare-approved amount after deductible (Original Medicare); $0–30 for most Medicare Advantage plans
Medicare covers telehealth mental health services under Part B. After the COVID-19 public health emergency expanded telehealth access, Medicare permanently extended many telehealth flexibilities — including the ability to receive mental health services via video from your home rather than requiring a healthcare facility.
Original Medicare (Part B): Medicare Part B covers outpatient mental health services at 80% after you meet your Part B deductible ($240 in 2024). You pay the remaining 20% coinsurance. Telehealth mental health sessions with a Medicare-enrolled provider are covered the same as in-person visits.
Medicare Advantage (Part C): Medicare Advantage plans from private insurers must cover everything Original Medicare covers — and many offer enhanced mental health telehealth benefits at lower copays. Humana, UnitedHealthcare, and Aetna's Medicare Advantage plans often have $0 telehealth copays for mental health.
Eligible providers: The Medicare provider must be enrolled in Medicare and licensed to provide mental health services. Platforms like Talkspace and Headway have Medicare-enrolled providers in their networks. Always verify Medicare participation before booking.
What to Expect
Most plans that cover online therapy work the same way as in-person coverage. Once you're matched with an in-network provider, you pay your plan's mental health copay per session. If you haven't met your deductible yet, you may pay more until you hit that threshold — then your copay rate applies for the rest of the year.
Typical copay range: 20% of Medicare-approved amount after deductible (Original Medicare); $0–30 for most Medicare Advantage plans. Keep in mind this is an estimate — your actual cost depends on your specific plan, your deductible status, and whether the provider is in-network.
Always verify your exact coverage before your first session. Most platforms let you enter your insurance information during signup and will confirm whether you're covered before you pay anything.
How to Check Your Medicare Coverage
- Call the member services number on the back of your Medicare card and ask: "Does my plan cover telehealth mental health services?"
- Ask specifically: "Is telehealth therapy covered at the same copay as in-person therapy?"
- Ask: "Which telehealth platforms are in-network for mental health? Is [platform name] covered?"
- Ask: "What is my current deductible status for mental health benefits?"
Alternatively, log into your Medicare member portal online and navigate to "Benefits" or "Coverage Details" — look for the "Mental Health" or "Behavioral Health" section. Most member portals show your specific copay and deductible information.
Ready to Compare All Your Options?
See all 23 insurers and compare coverage options side by side.
Compare All Insurance OptionsWe're not therapists or insurance advisors — we're researchers who compiled publicly available information about insurance coverage for online therapy. Coverage information is general and may not reflect your specific plan. Always verify your exact benefits directly with Medicare before booking a session. Some links on this page may be affiliate links.
Insurance coverage depends on your specific plan, state, and provider. Copay estimates are based on averages and may vary significantly. We update regularly, but confirm current coverage directly with your insurer.