Will Congress extend Medicare telehealth flexibilities in time?
UPDATE: On Oct. 1, 2025, much of the U.S. federal goverment shut down after lawmakers failed to agree on dueling funding bills to keep the government open. CMS released an update on Medicare telehealth claims processing. See also the AAFP's telehealth coding web page.
The Medicare telehealth flexibilities are set to expire on Sept. 30, 2025, without further legislative action, reverting to the pre-COVID-19 rules. The telehealth provisions at risk include waiving geographic restrictions and allowing the beneficiary’s home to be an eligible originating site for any telehealth service. (See "How to bill Medicare for telehealth in 2025.")
While Congress has extended the telehealth flexibilities numerous times in the past, the latest deadline is fast approaching. Several bills, including the Telehealth Modernization Act and the CONNECT for Health Act, would take steps toward preserving Medicare reimbursement for telehealth services. Additionally, the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule includes meaningful changes that could expand the scope of telehealth services and reimbursement. However, the proposed rule’s overall impact depends on the soon-to-expire statutory Medicare telehealth flexibilities.
The American Academy of Family Physicians is advocating for Congress to swiftly enact legislation that would make telehealth flexibilities permanent, arguing that they have transformed care delivery, especially for older adults, individuals with mobility limitations, and patients in rural or underserved communities. The key provisions include 1) eliminating geographic restrictions so patients can receive care from home, regardless of location, 2) allowing audio-only telehealth for patients without broadband or video-capable devices, 3) permitting FQHCs and RHCs to serve as distant site providers, and 4) waiving in-person visit requirements for behavioral health services.
The AAFP's Speak Out campaign to protect telehealth flexibilities can be accessed online: https://www.aafp.org/advocacy/fight/speak-out.html.
— Brandi White, Managing Editor, FPM
Posted on Sept. 15, 2025