On Sept. 16, 2025, House Republicans introduced a stopgap continuing resolution (CR) to fund the federal government through Nov. 21, 2025. While primarily designed to prevent a government shutdown, the CR included a provision to extend Medicare telehealth flexibilities through Nov. 21, 2025. However, the Senate did not pass the resolution and without it, Medicare beneficiaries, particularly those in rural or underserved communities, could face sudden barriers to care, threatening treatment adherence.
Physicians who provide telehealth services to Medicare patients should be aware that if Congress does not pass legislation before Oct. 1, 2025, that extends government funding, then the current Medicare telehealth flexibilities will end. This means that telehealth services would be limited to rural areas as they were before the COVID public health emergency and patients will no longer be able to receive telehealth services in their homes. This would also end the ability for audio-only services to be provided to Medicare patients.
The AASM continues to advocate for making telehealth flexibilities permanent or, at a minimum, extending them beyond the September 30th expiration date.
