Recent legislation authorized an extension of many of the Medicare telehealth flexibilities that were in place during the COVID-19 public health emergency through March 31, 2025.
Jayne Jacova Feld, MA Publish Date: February 21, 2025
*This is not the complete article written by Jayne Jacova-Feld, MA. We highly encourage you to read the full article at: https://www.infectiousdiseaseadvisor.com/features/medicare-telehealth-ending/
Over the past 5 years, telehealth has grown from an emergency stopgap during the COVID-19 pandemic to a cornerstone of modern health care. Whether for routine check-ups, mental health counseling, or chronic disease management, telehealth has bridged the gap for patients who might otherwise struggle to access care — due to immunocompromise, mobility challenges, geographic isolation, or busy schedules.1
After the pandemic was declared in March 2020, the Federal Government granted Medicare the flexibility to greatly expand coverage of telehealth services on an emergency basis.1,2 The following December, Medicare coverage of mental telehealth services was permanently expanded. Medicare’s flexibility for covering other health and medical services via telehealth has since been repeatedly extended, but the last of those extensions is effective only through March 31, 2025.2,3
Now, Medicare patients and providers who have come to rely on remote health care delivery are anxiously wondering: Will the Federal Government grant a further extension of Medicare telehealth flexibilities — or perhaps permanently allow Medicare to cover a full range of telehealth services? Or is the era of expanded Medicare telehealth coverage coming to an end?
“Congressional action is required to prevent the severe limitations on telehealth that existed before the COVID-19 pandemic from being restored,” said American Medical Association president Bruce A. Scott, MD, in a communique earlier this month. “We must make these flexibilities permanent and secure telehealth’s future as an essential element of our patient toolbox, and ensure that all Americans — including rural, underserved, and historically marginalized populations — can receive full access to the care they need,” he stated.4
Notably, the issues that currently surround telehealth delivery are somewhat confusing and complicated: Although Medicare coverage of most telehealth services has been extended only until March 31, some telehealth coverages are already gone (eg, for remote cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation) and some telehealth coverages (eg, for remote mental health visits) are here to stay. Also unresolved is the question of whether or not patients are (or will be) allowed to remotely access health care providers who are not licensed in their state. And then there’s perhaps the most unsettling question of all: will private insurers follow Medicare’s lead if Medicare rolls back its telehealth coverage?
Health systems have been operating under the assumption that telehealth would be a long-term solution. They’re not just worried about Medicare; private insurers often follow Medicare’s lead. If Medicare pulls back, it could trigger a cascade of changes across the board.*
References:
- Shaver J. The State of Telehealth Before and After the COVID-19 Pandemic. Prim Care. 2022;49(4):517-530. doi:10.1016/j.pop.2022.04.002
- Cottrill A, Cubanski J, Neuman T. What to Know About Medicare Coverage of Telehealth. Published October 2, 2024. Accessed January 30, 2025. https://www.kff.org/medicare/issue-brief/what-to-know-about-medicare-coverage-of-telehealth/
- Dimick GI, Stauffer R, Callaghan SL, et al. Congress Extends Certain Telehealth Flexibilities Through March 31, 2025. Published January 16, 2025. Accessed January 30, 2025. https://www.mwe.com/insights/congress-extends-certain-telehealth-flexibilities-through-march-31-2025/
- Scott BA. New Congress can create lasting legacy of health reform. Published January 22, 2025. Accessed January 30, 2025. https://www.ama-assn.org/about/leadership/new-congress-can-create-lasting-legacy-health-reform
