With the rapid expansion of Medicare telehealth services during the COVID-19 pandemic, many beneficiaries are now wondering: Will Medicare end telehealth in 2025?
While some temporary policies will expire, Congress has extended key provisions to ensure continued access to virtual healthcare—at least for now.
To maintain healthcare flexibility, lawmakers passed the American Relief Act, 2025, which President Joe Biden signed into law. This legislation includes a short-term extension of certain Medicare telehealth waivers that were set to expire at the end of 2024.
Telehealth Services
The American Relief Act, 2025 extends several telehealth benefits until March 31, 2025. These include:
- Expanded Access – Medicare patients can continue receiving virtual care for general and mental health services from home.
- No Geographic Restrictions – Patients will not face location-based limits on telehealth access.
- More Eligible Providers – Physical therapists, speech-language pathologists, and mental health counselors can continue providing telehealth services.
- Audio-Only Services – Medicare will still cover audio-only consultations for patients unable to use video platforms.
- Behavioral and Mental Health Flexibility – The requirement for an in-person visit within six months of a patient’s first telehealth appointment has been waived until January 1, 2026, for rural health clinics and federally qualified health centers (FQHCs).
These provisions ensure that millions of Medicare beneficiaries can continue using telehealth services without disruption—at least in the short term.
Medicare Telehealth Services
While many telehealth services were extended, some flexibilities were not renewed beyond December 31, 2024. This means that certain services will no longer be covered under Medicare, including:
| Service | Status in 2025 |
|---|---|
| Cardiac & Pulmonary Rehabilitation via Telehealth | No longer reimbursed |
| HSA Telehealth Coverage | High Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs) cannot provide first-dollar coverage without affecting HSA eligibility |
These changes may affect patients undergoing remote rehab services and those with Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) who previously benefited from expanded coverage.
Telehealth’s Role
For individuals in rural areas, telehealth has been a lifeline, reducing the need for long-distance travel to access medical services. Fortunately, some permanent Medicare telehealth policies have been implemented, including:
- Rural Clinics & Health Centers – Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) can permanently serve as distant-site providers for mental and behavioral health services.
- Mental Health Services from Home – Patients can continue receiving remote behavioral healthcare without geographic restrictions.
- Audio-Only Telehealth for Mental Health – Providers can permanently offer behavioral health services using audio-only calls if video is unavailable.
These policies ensure that Medicare beneficiaries in rural and underserved communities will still have access to mental health support via telehealth.
What’s Next?
With some telehealth flexibilities expiring on March 31, 2025, further legislative action will be required to determine long-term policies.
Congress will need to decide whether to:
- Extend these provisions again
- Make them permanent
- Implement new restrictions
For Medicare beneficiaries who rely on telehealth, it’s essential to stay informed about policy changes and discuss any potential coverage impacts with healthcare providers.
For now, telehealth remains available, but its long-term future will depend on Congressional decisions in 2025.
FAQs
Will Medicare end telehealth in 2025?
No, but some temporary provisions will expire on March 31, 2025.
Which telehealth services will no longer be covered?
Medicare will stop covering cardiac rehab and some HSA telehealth benefits.
Are audio-only telehealth services still covered?
Yes, Medicare will continue covering audio-only mental health services.
Will rural clinics keep providing telehealth?
Yes, rural clinics and health centers can permanently offer telehealth services.
What happens after March 31, 2025?
Congress will decide whether to extend or change telehealth policies.
