Does insurance cover telehealth visits?

Most plans cover many telehealth services, but rules on audio-only visits, vendors and cost-sharing vary by plan and state.

Why was my therapy video session denied?

Common causes are coding errors, the therapist being out-of-network, or the therapist not being licensed in the state you were in. Parity rules also limit how plans restrict mental health telehealth.

Can I get telehealth across state lines?

Usually the provider must be licensed in the state where you are during the visit, unless an interstate compact or exception applies.

Is a telehealth visit cheaper than in-person?

Sometimes. Some plans charge lower or no cost-sharing for their own virtual care vendor; others treat it the same as an office visit.

Telehealth Claim Denied: Why It Happens and How to Appeal

By AppealFlow editorial•5 min read•Published October 2026

Telehealth claims are most often denied for billing reasons: the wrong place-of-service code or modifier, a provider not licensed in the state where you were located, a service your plan doesn't cover by video or phone, or an out-of-network virtual vendor. Many of these are fixed by the provider resubmitting a corrected claim. If the plan says telehealth isn't covered, check your state's telehealth law and your plan's documents before appealing.

Why Was My Telehealth Visit Denied?

Key Takeaway: Look at the EOB remark code first.

Coding: missing telehealth modifier (such as 95) or wrong place-of-service code (02 or 10).
Licensing: the provider isn't licensed in the state where you were during the visit.
Audio-only: some plans cover video but not phone visits.
Network: your plan has a designated virtual care vendor and you used a different one.
Benefit limits: mental health or therapy visit caps applied, or the service type isn't covered virtually.

What Rules Apply to Telehealth Coverage?

Key Takeaway: It depends on plan type and state.

Many states have telehealth coverage or payment parity laws for state-regulated plans; their details vary and change. Self-funded employer plans follow plan documents rather than state mandates. Medicare's telehealth flexibilities have been extended several times by Congress, so check Medicare.gov for the rules in effect on your date of service. Mental health telehealth limits are also subject to federal parity rules.

How Do I Get It Paid?

Key Takeaway: Most of these are fixable by phone.

Call your insurer and ask exactly why it denied, including the remark code.
If it's a coding issue, ask the provider's billing office to submit a corrected claim.
If it's licensing, confirm where you were located; if you were traveling, the provider may not be able to bill.
If the plan says telehealth isn't covered, ask for the plan language and check whether your state has a telehealth law that applies.
If the denial stands, file a written appeal by the deadline with the free appeal letter generator.

How Do I Avoid Telehealth Denials?

Key Takeaway: A quick check before the visit helps.

Ask whether the provider is in-network for telehealth specifically, whether your plan covers audio-only visits if you need them, and whether you need to use the plan's own virtual care service. Being physically in a state where the provider is licensed matters for many plans.

Related Guides

Frequently Asked Questions

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Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Plan terms, state laws, and federal rules vary and change. Check your plan documents and denial notice, and consider a licensed professional or your state consumer assistance program. See our full disclaimer.