Extension of Medicare telehealth flexibilities
On March 15, 2025, the president signed into law a continuing resolution to fund the United States government for another six months, through September 30, 2025 (the “Continuing Resolution”). The Continuing Resolution includes extensions of applicable Medicare telehealth flexibilities through September 30 as well. Industry advocates continue to push lawmakers for a permanent extension of these flexibilities to help facilitate access to care for patients. Key flexibilities include:
- Allowing all Medicare beneficiaries to receive telehealth services from any location, including their home;
- Retaining waiver of geographic restrictions on telehealth (i.e., patients are not required to be located in rural areas);
- Ensuring all Medicare providers eligible to bill Medicare can provide telehealth services (as opposed to only a limited list of eligible provider types);
- Delaying in-person requirements for tele-behavioral/mental health; and
- Allowing audio-only telehealth services.
Providers should also remain mindful that, although there remain broad telehealth flexibilities under Medicare, such flexibilities do not waive other requirements for Medicare billing and reimbursement, such as the requirement that services be reasonable and necessary for the diagnosis or treatment of an illness or injury.
Here is a link to the actual Bill that was passed by Congress.