Telehealth services continue to evolve, and here is an important update. On March 14, 2025, as part of a spending bill to prevent a government shutdown, Congress extended key Medicare telehealth waivers until September 30, 2025. This extension, originally set to expire on March 31, 2025, is a vital tool for expanding access to care and provides a sense of reassurance. While this extension is welcome news, it also raises questions about whether these flexibilities will be permanently written into law.
Here’s what you need to know about this latest extension:
Telehealth at Home
Medicare beneficiaries currently have the option to access telehealth services from their homes or any location until at least September 30, 2025. Suppose this extension is not approved, starting on April 1, 2025. In that case, Medicare recipients will encounter limitations on accessing telehealth, being allowed to do so only in specific approved healthcare facilities in rural areas.
Audio-Only Telehealth Remains an Option
Providers can continue offering telehealth services using audio-only communication systems. Without this extension, audio-only telehealth services would have been discontinued after March 31, 2025, requiring all telehealth services to be conducted via interactive audio-video systems, with a few narrow exceptions such as when the patient does not have access to a video-capable device or when the patient prefers audio-only communication.
Physical Therapists (PTs), Occupational Therapists (OTs), and Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) can continue offering telehealth services.
This extension is significant for Medicare beneficiaries, ensuring they have uninterrupted access to remote therapy services from all providers enrolled in Medicare. These services enable patients to receive essential therapy from the comfort of their homes, allowing individuals who rely on these treatments for recovery or ongoing health management to do so without interruptions. This continued access is crucial for maintaining patients’ quality of care and support during challenging times.
Stay Informed: Regularly review updates from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and other important organizations such as the American Physical Therapy Association, the American Occupational Therapy Association, and the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
Participate in Advocacy: Collaborate with professional organizations to support legislative efforts for permanent inclusion in telehealth programs.
What Comes After September 30, 2025?
While this extension offers temporary relief, it is another short-term fix rather than a permanent solution. Healthcare organizations, providers, and advocacy groups should begin preparing for potential restrictions on telehealth services after September 30, 2025. Without further legislative action, some of these flexibilities may be eliminated, impacting providers and patients who rely on them.
For now, PTs, OTs, and SLPs can continue utilizing telehealth to deliver care—but staying informed and advocating for long-term solutions will be crucial in the months ahead. Stay tuned for updates as we near the new deadline.
Find the previous updates from January 2025 here.
LW Consulting, Inc. (LWCI) offers a comprehensive range of services that can assist your organization in maintaining compliance, identifying trends, providing education and training, or conducting documentation and coding audits. For more information, contact LWCI to connect with one of our experts!
