Telehealth (also called telemedicine) refers to health care services delivered remotely using technology — video calls, phone consultations, or secure messaging with a licensed provider. You receive medical care from home (or anywhere with an internet connection) without going to a clinic or hospital.
Under the ACA, most Marketplace plans and employer plans cover telehealth services. Coverage expanded significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic, and many insurers maintained broader telehealth benefits afterward. However, coverage rules vary by plan, state, and service type.
Telehealth is commonly used for:
Telehealth visits are typically cheaper than in-person visits — many plans offer lower copays for telehealth, and some preventive telehealth services may be covered at $0. Confirm your plan’s specific telehealth copay and coverage before booking.
Most plan’s telehealth copays are equal to or lower than an in-person primary care visit. Check your Summary of Benefits for your plan’s specific telehealth cost-sharing. Telehealth visits with a mental health provider, specialist, or urgent care platform may have different copays than a primary care telehealth visit. Always verify before booking.
Telehealth providers vary in what they can prescribe. Most can renew or initiate prescriptions for common conditions (infections, allergies, chronic conditions). Controlled substances (like certain ADHD medications or sleep aids) had pandemic-era telehealth prescribing flexibilities that have since been tightened. Check with your specific telehealth provider about what they can and cannot prescribe in your state.
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