Medicare Telehealth Flexibilities Extended, but Without Promise of Permanent Solution

Through a recent stopgap funding bill, Congress has extended several telehealth-related flexibilities that are critical for Medicare beneficiaries and providers until September 30, 2025[1]. As we previously reported, the telehealth flexibilities are subject to sunsetting provisions and were temporarily extended at the end of 2024.

These extensions include:

• Waiver of originating and geographic restrictions allowing patients to receive non-behavioral health telehealth services in their homes;
• Telehealth services can be provided by all Medicare-eligible providers;
• No geographic restrictions on the originating site for non-behavioral health telehealth services;
• Permission for Federally Qualified Health Centers and Rural Health Clinics to serve as distant site providers for non-behavioral health services;
• The requirement to conduct an in-person visit within six months of an initial behavioral health telehealth visit is waived; and
• Non-behavioral health services are eligible for audio-only delivery[2].

Permanent allowances will require further Congressional action.

[1] H.R. 1968, Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025.

[2] See https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/calendar-year-cy-2025-medicare-physician-fee-schedule-final-rule#:~:text=Telecommunication%20Services%20in%20RHCs%20and%20FQHCs&text=We%20are%20also%20finalizing%20a%20policy%20to%20allow%20payment%2C%20on,homes%20until%20January%201%2C%202026