Congress Extends Medicare Telehealth Flexibilities to September 2025

(March 18, 2025) Telehealth flexibilities allowed during the COVID-19 pandemic under Medicare were extended in the Continuing Resolution (CR) passed by Congress last weekend. The CR provides for their expiration on Sept. 30, 2025.

Put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth flexibilities have become important tools for patients and for providers who serve older adults across the long-term care continuum. These flexibilities include:

• The removal of geographic restrictions on originating service sites (i.e., allowing the home as an originating site for telehealth services);
• Expanded provider eligibility as telehealth practitioners, including qualified physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists;
• The ability to do hospice face-to-face recertification via telehealth; and
• The ability to provide audio-only telehealth services.

The extension provides for continuation of the Hospital at Home program as well.

LeadingAge NY and LeadingAge National will continue to urge for more permanent adoption of these flexibilities.

Contact: Meg Everett, meverett@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8871