On Wednesday night, the House approved and the President signed H.R. 5371, the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act of 2026. This legislation ends the 43-day government shutdown, provides funding for federal agencies including CMS, and extends Medicare telehealth flexibilities through January 30, 2026.
The agreement includes provisions for retroactive payments for telehealth services delivered during the funding lapse, starting from October 1, 2025. This means claims held during the shutdown period are expected to be paid. Telehealth rules will return to their pre-shutdown status, including telehealth flexibilities established during the COVID-19 public health emergency and previously extended through September 30, 2025.
Key highlights of the legislation are included below:
Telehealth Flexibilities Extended
- Home as an originating site – patients can continue telehealth visits from home.
- No geographic restrictions – rural and urban patients have equal access.
- Continued coverage of audio-only telehealth services.
- Expanded provider eligibility
- Delayed in-person visit requirement for telemental health – helpful for insomnia and behavioral sleep interventions.
- Virtual follow-ups for PAP therapy when clinically appropriate
- Behavioral health telehealth coverage supports CBT-I and other therapies for insomnia.
- Home-based provider flexibility – specialists can conduct telehealth visits from home offices when clinically appropriate.
These provisions, as well as funding for the government, expire at the end of January unless Congress acts again. AASM will continue to advocate for permanent telehealth coverage.
