Complete Story
02/28/2026
Medicare Telehealth Waivers - extended through Dec. 31, 2027
Recent federal action brings welcome news to telehealth services for Medicare providers and patients. Congress has formally extended key Medicare waivers through Dec. 31, 2027. Congress passed H.R. 7148, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026, and the bill was signed into law last week. Importantly, the legislation retroactively covers the brief lapse period, restoring continuity to Medicare telehealth coverage.
Extensions of telehealth access options
The Federal government took a range of steps to expedite the adoption and awareness of telehealth. Some of the telehealth flexibilities have been made permanent while others are temporary. Telehealth policies allow:
- Medicare patients can receive telehealth services for non-behavioral/mental health care in their home through December 31, 2027.
- There are no geographic restrictions for originating site for Medicare non-behavioral/mental telehealth services through December 31, 2027.
- Telehealth services can be provided by all eligible Medicare providers through December 31, 2027.
- Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) can serve as Medicare distant site providers for non-behavioral/mental telehealth services through December 31, 2027.
- An in-person visit within six months of an initial Medicare behavioral/mental telehealth service, and annually thereafter, is not required through December 31, 2027.
- Non-behavioral/mental telehealth services in Medicare can be delivered using audio-only communication platforms through December 31, 2027. Interactive telecommunications system may also permanently include two-way, real-time audio-only communication technology for any telehealth service furnished to a patient in their home if the distant site physician or practitioner is technically capable of using an interactive telecommunications system, but the patient is not capable of, or does not consent to, the use of video technology.
