Takeaways
- Medicare’s telehealth coverage significantly expanded during COVID-19, allowing broader access and more services.
- These relaxed restrictions are set to expire on September 30, 2025, unless Congress extends them.
- The future of telehealth coverage depends on legislative action, with some services remaining covered regardless of location after the deadline.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Medicare beneficiaries who wanted to use virtual health care were few and far between — quite literally. Medicare policy stipulated that to be reimbursed for virtual care, also known as telehealth, a beneficiary had to live in a rural area. Only about 2 percent of Medicare enrollees met this criterion. Beneficiaries living in a rural area also had to travel to an approved site, such as a physician’s office or a hospital, to use a virtual service.
When COVID-19 forced most of us to stay in our homes, Congress allowed Medicare to ease telehealth restrictions. This allowed many more Medicare recipients to take advantage of the convenience and time-saving benefits of virtual medical care.
Since the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency, Congress has extended the relaxed restrictions a few times. However, the original restrictions on telehealth services are set to renew on September 30, 2025, unless Congress acts soon to extend the more inclusive access to which many Americans have become accustomed. The restrictions would put more burden on older adults and individuals with disabilities, as they are more likely to be affected by mobility issues.
Expanded Coverage of Telehealth Services
The increased use of telehealth has benefited patients and providers. Meeting with health care providers via phone or internet has streamlined the health care process and saved patients money and time. Medicare’s expanded coverage of telehealth services has included:
- Expanded service types. Medicare has allowed telehealth appointments for a wider range of conditions, including chronic disease management, mental health, and routine follow-ups. Previously, telehealth was mostly limited to specific services, such as consultations, psychotherapy, and substance use disorder treatment.
- Broader access. Beneficiaries have been able to receive telehealth services in their homes, removing the requirement to visit a doctor’s office or other medical facility. This change has allowed more flexibility, especially for those who have mobility issues or live in areas with limited access to health care providers.
- Additional providers. More health care professionals, such as physical therapists and speech-language pathologists, have been permitted to deliver virtual-visit services under Medicare. This expansion has been especially helpful for those in need of rehabilitative services.
- Audio-only visits. Recognizing that not all beneficiaries have access to video technology, Medicare has allowed audio-only telehealth visits for certain services, making it easier for older adults to consult with their health care providers.
These expansions helped maintain continuity of care during the pandemic, ensuring that vulnerable individuals could access essential health services without risking exposure to the COVID-19 virus.
The Future of Medicare’s Coverage of Telehealth
The future of Medicare-reimbursed telehealth services will largely be shaped by ongoing legislative efforts. Congress has introduced bills aimed at extending many of the temporary telehealth expansions or making them permanent.
Through September 30, 2025, you can access telehealth services at any location in the U.S., including your home.
However, starting on October 1, 2025, your location will once again determine whether you can receive Medicare telehealth services. You may only be able to access most telehealth services if you live in a rural or other underserved geographic location – and only by traveling to a hospital or other qualifying site. Other policy shifts may also be on the horizon.
According to the Telehealth Resource Center, Medicare will continue to cover certain telehealth services on or after the first of October, regardless of your location, including:
- Monthly End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) visits for home dialysis
- Services for diagnosis, evaluation, or treatment of symptoms of an acute stroke wherever you are, including in a mobile stroke unit
- Services for the diagnosis, evaluation, or treatment of a mental and/or behavioral health disorder, including a substance use disorder, in your home
For policy updates and available telehealth services options, check the telehealth section of Medicare’s website and the Health Resources & Services Administration’s telehealth policy updates page.
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