Telehealth services let you see a licensed doctor, nurse or therapist by video, phone or secure message instead of in an office. Most health plans cover some virtual visits, often for less than an office visit. However, what you pay depends on your plan, your network and the type of care. Here's how to use telehealth services and keep costs low.
- Most plans cover some virtual visits, but copays, networks and covered services vary by plan and state.
- HSA-eligible plans can now cover telehealth before you meet the deductible, and that rule is permanent.
- All Marketplace plans cover mental health care as an essential health benefit, including counseling.
- A provider generally must be licensed, or legally allowed to practice, in the state where you are during the visit.
- Online therapy apps don't always take insurance, so check the network before your first session.
How telehealth services work
Telehealth is health care you get through a screen or a phone. For example, you might talk to an urgent care doctor at midnight or check in with your own doctor after a lab test. You can also meet a counselor from your car on a lunch break.
| Visit type | How it works | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Live video | A real-time call with a provider on your phone or computer | Rashes, colds, follow-ups and therapy |
| Phone only | A voice call when video isn't possible | Quick questions and refills, when your plan allows them |
| Secure messages | You send photos or notes, then the provider replies later | Minor issues and test results |
| Remote monitoring | Devices such as blood pressure cuffs send readings to your care team | Ongoing conditions your doctor tracks |
Most visits start in your plan's app or member portal. So before you need care, download the app and set up your login. That way, you're ready when a sick kid wakes up at 2am.
Get ready for your first visit
- Find your plan's service
Log in to your member portal and look for a link to remote care. Many carriers also print a number on the back of the card, so learn how to read your insurance ID card.
- Test your device
Check your camera, microphone and internet a day early. Then find a quiet, private spot.
- List your questions
Write down symptoms, dates and medicines. Also keep your pharmacy's address handy.
- Ask what comes next
Before you hang up, ask whether you need labs or an office visit. That way, nothing falls through the cracks.
Does health insurance cover telehealth services?
Usually, yes, but the details matter. Many plans cover virtual urgent care, primary care visits and therapy. Still, coverage for telehealth services varies by plan, and state rules differ too. So the same visit can cost $0 on one plan and a full office copay on another.
- Virtual urgent care through your carrier's own service
- Video visits with in-network doctors you already see
- Counseling and therapy with in-network providers
- Prescriptions your provider sends to a pharmacy, when appropriate
- Cash-only apps outside your network
- Visits with a provider who isn't licensed where you are
- Care that needs a hands-on exam, a scan or a lab draw
Before you book, check your plan's summary of benefits for the words "virtual" or "telehealth." Then confirm the provider is in network with our carrier provider search links. Our guide to HMO, PPO and EPO plan types also explains how each network handles outside care. For quick answers, browse our library of health plan answers.
What virtual care costs
Virtual care often has a lower copay than an office visit, so it can be a budget-friendly first stop. Even so, your cost depends on how your plan treats the visit. It might be a flat copay, a share of the bill after your deductible, or nothing at all.
HSA plans and telehealth
Until recently, high-deductible HSA plans had to charge you full price for telehealth until you met the deductible. Now, the IRS says these plans can cover telehealth before the deductible, and that rule is permanent. In addition, since 2026, bronze and catastrophic plans available through an Exchange count as HSA-eligible. Read how bronze, silver and gold plans compare to see which level fits.
A carrier example
For its 2026 individual plans, Oscar advertised $0 virtual urgent care and $0 virtual primary care visits, 24/7, on bronze, silver and some gold plans. However, its HSA-compatible plans didn't get the $0 visits. Benefits change each year, so check the current plan details on our Oscar Health plans page. To see how copays work, read our plain guide to copays and coinsurance.
A licensed Vivna agent can show which plans in your ZIP code include virtual care, and what each visit costs, at no cost to you.
Online therapy and mental health coverage
Online therapy is one of the most common uses of telehealth services. In fact, all Marketplace plans cover mental health and substance use care as essential health benefits. That includes counseling and psychotherapy.
Parity rules also apply. That means limits on mental health care can't be stricter than limits on medical care. For example, your plan can't set tougher copays or visit caps for therapy than for similar medical visits. Marketplace plans also can't put yearly or lifetime dollar limits on these benefits.
Check the network first
Here's the catch we see most. Some popular therapy apps don't bill insurance at all. Others work with only a few carriers. So if you pay cash, you may get little or nothing back. Before your first session, ask the app or therapist whether they're in network with your plan. Then ask what you'll pay per visit.
Virtual care is not for emergencies. If you or someone you love is in a mental health crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. For a medical emergency, call 911.
When telehealth services aren't the right fit
Telehealth works well for many problems, but not for all of them. A provider can't listen to your lungs, take an X-ray or draw blood through a screen. So you may still need an office visit after a virtual one.
Traveling or living in two states
Licensing rules matter too. HHS says a provider generally must be licensed, or legally allowed to practice, in the state where you are during the visit. As a result, a visit from a hotel in another state may not work with your usual doctor. This matters for drivers on the road, so see our guide to coverage for drivers who live on the road.
- Colds, rashes and pink eye
- Refills and follow-ups
- Therapy and counseling
- Physical exams and screenings
- Lab work, X-rays and shots
- Chest pain or serious injury
How to pick a plan with strong virtual care
If you plan to use virtual care often, make it part of your plan comparison. Otherwise, a plan with a low premium could still cost more per visit.
Look for $0 or low-copay virtual urgent care you can use at night.
Confirm your therapist is in network and compare the per-visit cost.
An HSA-eligible bronze plan may now cover telehealth before the deductible.
Pick a plan with a 24/7 virtual service and a nearby in-network clinic.
When we compare plans with you, we pull up each carrier's virtual visit copay next to the office copay. Then we check whether your therapist or doctor offers video visits in that network. That quick check helps you avoid surprise costs later.
Telehealth also works best with a doctor who knows you. So learn how to pick a doctor you trust, and review what out-of-network care can cost. When you're ready, compare ACA and private plans in your ZIP code or call 888-730-6001.
Set up your plan's app before you get sick, not after.The tip our licensed agents give every new member
Telehealth coverage: FAQs
Are telehealth services covered by insurance?
Most health plans cover some virtual visits, such as urgent care, primary care follow-ups and therapy. Still, what's covered and what you pay vary by plan and state. Check your summary of benefits for virtual care, then confirm the provider is in your network. An agent can compare virtual visit copays across plans for you.
Is virtual care cheaper than an office visit?
Often, yes. Many plans set a lower copay for virtual visits, and some offer $0 virtual urgent care on certain plans. However, if you're on a high-deductible plan, you may pay the full allowed cost until you meet your deductible. That said, HSA-eligible plans can now cover telehealth before the deductible.
Does insurance cover online therapy?
Marketplace plans must cover mental health care, including counseling, as an essential health benefit. Parity rules also mean therapy limits can't be stricter than limits on similar medical care. Even so, the therapist or app must usually be in your network for the best price. So ask before your first session.
Can I use telehealth coverage in another state?
Sometimes. Your plan may cover the visit, but the provider generally must be licensed or legally allowed to practice in the state where you are at that moment. Many carrier urgent care services handle this for you. For your own doctor, though, ask before you book a visit from out of state.
Can a telehealth doctor prescribe medicine?
Yes, in many cases. A virtual provider can send many common prescriptions to your pharmacy when they decide it's right for you. Some drugs have extra rules, and some problems need an in-person exam first. Your plan's drug list then decides what you pay at the pharmacy.
Vivna's licensed agents compare plans from 50+ carriers. Call Monday through Friday, 9am to 6pm.
Sources
- HealthCare.gov: Mental health and substance abuse coverage
- IRS: Notice 2026-5, HSA telehealth and bronze plan rules
- HHS Telehealth.HHS.gov: Licensure for telehealth
- Oscar Health: 2026 individual plan announcement
- SAMHSA: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline fact sheet
Vivna Insurance is a licensed, independent health insurance agency (NPN 19168641). We are not affiliated with HealthCare.gov or any government agency. Plan availability, networks and benefits vary by state and change over time.