I’m new to Medicare. Does it cover the calls with my counselor that keep my depression in check? I’ve heard some telehealth services may end soon.

Anyone on Medicare can receive mental and behavioral health care services at home through any laptop, tablet, cellphone or landline with audio or audio/video capabilities. While telehealth use grew during the pandemic, it became a permanently covered benefit for everyone on Medicare needing these particular services only in January. Originally, telehealth coverage was primarily intended for people in rural areas. If you have original Medicare and see a counselor that participates in the program, you’ll pay 20 percent of the Medicare-approved amount for telehealth services after meeting the Part B deductible. Costs under Medicare Advantage vary by plan, and you’ll generally pay less with someone in-network.

I am applying for a Medigap plan. Is it legal to ask about my health history? I thought the Affordable Care Act stopped queries about preexisting conditions.

The protection granted under the ACA applies only to plans that offer primary medical coverage. As Medigap plans provide supplemental coverage, they are not bound by the ACA’s medical underwriting ban. Companies selling Medigap plans can ask about health history and deny coverage based on it, unless you sign up during your six-month Medigap open enrollment period or another federal guaranteed issue period. Check with your state’s insurance administration to see if your state offers enrollment in a Medigap plan without underwriting. Many do.

Are Medicare Summary Notices being sent out less often?

A Medicare Summary Notice, sent to people with original Medicare, reports the most recent services and supplies received by the enrollee and paid for by Medicare. In 2025, paper MSNs were mailed to beneficiaries every 120 days, but now they are sent every 180 days. You can follow your claims activity more closely by creating an online Medicare account and opting for electronic notifications. You’ll get an email with a link to your MSN for any month you have a processed claim. People enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans do not receive MSNs; instead, they get an explanation of benefits (EOB) from their chosen plan.

Why doesn’t Medicare help pay for the cost of my hearing aids?

Medicare was originally designed to protect older adults from high medical bills due to events like long hospital stays. Hearing aids and glasses were specifically excluded from coverage, as their use was considered a natural part of aging and not payable by insurance. Making hearing aids a benefit under original Medicare would require an act of Congress. Some Medicare Advantage plans offer hearing coverage as part of their extra benefits, which may reduce what you spend on devices.