Telehealth transformed how millions of Americans access medical care over the past several years. Video visits, phone consultations, and online messaging with providers made it possible to receive treatment without traveling to a clinic, taking time off work, or arranging childcare for young children. What started as a pandemic-era necessity has become a permanent feature of the American healthcare system that both patients and providers prefer for certain visit types. Asking the clinic about all available services during your first visit often reveals programs you did not know existed, such as dental care, mental health counseling, and enrollment assistance under the same roof. Scheduling preventive care appointments regularly costs less over time than treating conditions that worsen because they went unaddressed during the early stages when treatment is simpler and cheaper.

Patients covered by Medicaid and CHIP have gained significant telehealth access in recent years, but the availability of virtual services varies by state, provider practice, and managed care plan type. This guide explains what telehealth services Medicaid and CHIP typically cover in 2026, how to access them through your plan, and what to watch out for when scheduling a virtual appointment with your provider.

Medicaid Telehealth Coverage Expanded Permanently

Most states permanently expanded Medicaid telehealth coverage after the pandemic ended, meaning video and phone visits are now standard benefits for most enrollees across the country.

Before 2020, many state Medicaid programs restricted telehealth services to patients in rural areas or to specific medical specialties. The pandemic forced a rapid expansion of virtual care, and most states chose to make those expanded telehealth policies permanent rather than rolling them back. Today, the majority of state Medicaid programs cover video visits for primary care, behavioral health, and many specialty services as standard covered benefits.

Audio-only telephone visits are covered in most states as well, which is important for patients who lack reliable internet access or a device with video capability. A phone call with your doctor that results in a diagnosis and treatment plan is reimbursed the same as a video visit in many state Medicaid programs. Our guide to Medicaid state rules explains the broader variation in covered services across expansion and non-expansion states.

CHIP Telehealth Access Mirrors Medicaid

Children covered by CHIP generally have access to the same telehealth services as Medicaid enrollees, including pediatric primary care, mental health counseling, and specialist consultations.

CHIP programs in most states cover well-child visits, sick visits, behavioral health counseling sessions, and speech or occupational therapy through telehealth platforms. School-based telehealth has expanded alongside community telehealth services. Some school districts now partner with health systems to provide virtual visits for students during the school day, reducing missed class time and eliminating the need for a parent to leave work.

Mental health services for children delivered through telehealth have grown rapidly in recent years. The ongoing shortage of child and adolescent psychiatrists means long wait times for in-person appointments in many regions of the country. Telehealth expands the available provider pool by removing geographic barriers entirely, allowing a child in a rural area to see a specialist located in a major city without any travel.

How to Schedule and Prepare for a Telehealth Visit

A successful telehealth visit requires the same preparation as an in-person visit, plus a few simple technology steps that prevent connection problems during the appointment.

Complete these steps before your scheduled appointment:

1. Call your provider’s office or check their online portal to schedule a virtual appointment and confirm that your specific reason for the visit qualifies for telehealth coverage
2. Download and test the telehealth app or video platform the provider uses before the appointment day so you are not troubleshooting technology during the actual visit
3. Prepare a written list of symptoms, questions, and current medications, and have your Medicaid or CHIP insurance card visible and ready for reference during the appointment
4. Confirm after the visit ends that the provider filed the insurance claim correctly with your plan and that any prescriptions, referrals, or follow-up orders were entered into the system

What Telehealth Does Not Replace

Telehealth works well for many common visit types, but certain medical conditions require hands-on examination, lab work, or imaging that only happens in person.

Medical emergencies, severe injuries, chest pain, difficulty breathing, and symptoms of stroke all require immediate in-person evaluation at an emergency department. Physical exams that require palpation or specialized diagnostic equipment need an in-person visit as well. Lab tests, imaging scans, and medical procedures are obviously in-person services that cannot be performed virtually.

However, the initial consultation that leads to ordering those tests frequently happens through telehealth, and the follow-up discussion of results happens virtually as well. That combination of virtual and in-person care reduces the total number of clinic trips while maintaining the quality of care. Telehealth is a valuable tool that increases access and reduces barriers for the visit types where it works effectively.