Earlier this month, Dinsmore provided a notice to clients that several telehealth flexibilities for Medicare beneficiaries were set to expire on December 31. However, on December 20, Congress passed the American Relief Act, 2025[1] (the “Act”), a short-term spending bill that keeps the government open through March. The Act includes provisions that extend Medicare telehealth flexibilities, including:
- Waiver of originating site and geographic restrictions, allowing telehealth services to be provided at any site in the U.S.
- Telehealth services can be provided by all eligible provider types.
- Permission for Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and Rural Health Centers to provide telehealth services.
- In-person exams are not required within six months for behavioral health services.
- Allowance for audio-only telehealth services.
The flexibilities provided for the reimbursement of telehealth cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation services in patient homes will still expire on December 31.
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