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 about which of your regular appointments even qualify for a virtual visit, before you book one, saves you from scheduling a video call for a visit type your plan only covers in person. Keeping a telehealth visit for the follow-up conversation, rather than skipping care altogether, catches small problems before they turn into the kind of emergency room visit that costs far more and takes far longer to resolve.

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

Unlike Medicare’s telehealth rules, Medicaid and CHIP telehealth coverage was never tied to the COVID-19 public health emergency, so video and phone visits kept running for most enrollees even after the emergency officially ended.

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 CMS has confirmed that Medicaid and CHIP telehealth flexibilities were not set to expire with the public health emergency, encouraging states to keep covering telehealth going forward. Coverage still varies by state, but many state Medicaid programs cover video visits for primary care, behavioral health, and many specialty services as standard 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Medicaid cover telehealth visits in 2026? Yes, in most states. Medicaid telehealth coverage was never tied to the COVID-19 public health emergency the way some Medicare rules were, so video and phone visits kept running for most enrollees. Coverage typically includes primary care, behavioral health, and many specialty services delivered virtually, though the exact list still varies by state. Audio-only phone visits are covered in most states too, which matters if you do not have reliable internet or a device with video capability.

Does CHIP cover telehealth visits for children? In most states, CHIP covers the same range of telehealth services as Medicaid, including well-child visits, sick visits, behavioral health counseling, and speech or occupational therapy. Some school districts even partner with health systems to offer virtual visits during the school day, cutting down on missed class time and the need for a parent to leave work. Telehealth has also expanded access to child and adolescent mental health specialists, who are often in short supply for in-person appointments.

How do I prepare for a telehealth appointment with Medicaid or CHIP? Call your provider’s office or check their online portal to schedule the visit and confirm your reason for the appointment qualifies for telehealth coverage. Download and test the video platform ahead of time so you are not troubleshooting technology during the actual appointment. Have a written list of symptoms and current medications ready, along with your Medicaid or CHIP insurance card visible during the call.

What can telehealth not replace for Medicaid or CHIP patients? Telehealth cannot replace care for medical emergencies, severe injuries, chest pain, difficulty breathing, or stroke symptoms, all of which need immediate in-person evaluation at an emergency department. Physical exams that require hands-on examination, lab work, and imaging also require an in-person visit. The initial consultation and follow-up discussion around those tests, however, can often still happen virtually.

What should I do after a telehealth visit to make sure it is covered? Confirm with the provider that the insurance claim was filed correctly with your Medicaid or CHIP plan before you consider the visit complete. Also check that any prescriptions, referrals, or follow-up orders from the appointment were entered into the system. Following up on these details prevents billing surprises and makes sure your next steps in care actually get scheduled.