Telehealth in 2026: Why the Rules Are Changing, and What It Means for Seniors

If you’ve been following Medicare lately, you already know telehealth’s heading into a new season. For years, folks got used to visiting their doctor from the couch. It was easy, it was fast, and frankly, it worked.

But now we’re sliding toward 2026, and the two big players in the Medicare world are about to take different roads. Original Medicare is tightening things up. Medicare

Advantage plans are mostly keeping things wide open.

Let’s walk through it in everyday English.

What’s Actually Changing in 2026

Original Medicare

Come 2026, a lot of the pandemic-era telehealth freedoms go away unless Congress steps in. That means:

• Some visits may only be covered if the patient is physically in a medical facility. Not their living room.

• Audio-only visits may lose coverage except for mental health.

• Coverage rules get stricter.

• Seniors who rely on telehealth for mobility, transportation issues, or chronic conditions could feel the squeeze.

As Mary puts it,

“People assume that if something worked during COVID, it’s automatically permanent. That’s just not how Medicare works. 2026 will be a wake-up call for a lot of folks.”

Medicare Advantage Plans

This is where the road splits.

Medicare Advantage plans have more freedom to offer extra telehealth benefits. Many already announced they’ll keep home-based video visits and audio-only visits rolling right through 2026.

Some plans may even expand telehealth as a way to compete for members. It all depends on the carrier and the specific plan.

Alexis explained it perfectly:

“Telehealth is becoming a selling point for Advantage plans. Some will outdo each other on convenience. But people have to compare carefully. Every plan is different, and small details matter.”

The Big Differences at a Glance

Here’s the simple version:

1. Home telehealth visits:

Original Medicare may scale these back in 2026 unless the rules change.

Medicare Advantage plans often keep home-based telehealth fully available.

2. Audio-only visits:

Original Medicare will limit these mainly to mental health.

Many Advantage plans continue offering audio-only visits for other medical needs.

3. Flexibility:

Original Medicare becomes the stricter option.

Medicare Advantage remains the more flexible choice.

4. Consistency:

Original Medicare is the same for everyone nationwide.

Advantage plans vary wildly from plan to plan.

5. What it all means:

If telehealth matters to someone’s daily life, their coverage choice matters a lot more in 2026.

Why This Matters for Seniors and Families

Telehealth is no longer just a convenience. For many people, it’s the difference between staying ahead of a condition and falling behind. Think about mobility issues. Weather.

Transportation. Caregiver schedules. Rural access. All the real-life stuff that gets in the way.

Mary sees it all the time,

“When telehealth is taken off the table, some people stop going to the doctor as often. That leads to bigger problems later. Coverage decisions really matter.”

What You Should Tell People in 2026

Here’s the part folks don’t always want to hear. They’re going to have to compare plans based on more than price. Telehealth could be the deciding factor.

Key questions:

• Does the plan allow video visits from home?

• Do audio-only visits count?

• Does it require in-network doctors for telehealth?

• Does the plan offer extra virtual programs?

Some Advantage plans invest heavily in telehealth. Others scrape by with the minimum.

Original Medicare, unless Congress steps in, is moving back toward pre-pandemic limitations.

The Bottom Line

Telehealth isn’t disappearing. But your access to it might change depending on the path you choose.  That's why you benefit by working with a professional agency like M3 Insurance.

Original Medicare will likely tighten coverage.

Medicare Advantage plans will likely expand it.

And seniors will need to make choices based on what matters in real life—not what happened during COVID.

Alexis said it best:

“Your health care shouldn’t rely on guessing games. Know what you’re signing up for. Ask questions. Compare plans. Telehealth is too important to leave to chance.”