In a significant move for healthcare access and innovation, Congress has officially extended key telehealth flexibilities until September 30, 2025. This extension comes through the “Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025” (Section 2207 of H.R. 1968).
Here’s what you need to know about what’s been extended, what’s changing, and what coders and billers should prepare for.
Key Telehealth Flexibilities Extended
Until September 30, 2025, the following provisions remain in effect for Medicare telehealth services:
- Removal of geographic restrictions and the expansion of originating sites to include the patient’s home.
- Broadening of telehealth eligibility for practitioners
- Allowing audio-only telehealth for some services
- Continuing telehealth services for FQHCs and RHCs:
- Delay of in-person requirements for mental health services and hospice care recertification
- Extension of the Acute Care Hospital at Home program, providing inpatient services outside of a hospital
(CMS Telehealth & Remote Monitoring Guide)
What Happens After October 1, 2025?
Unless further action is taken, most of the temporary flexibilities will expire after this date, and pre-PHE statutory limitations will return. However, important exceptions remain, particularly for behavioral health:
- Behavioral and Mental Telehealth Services
Patients will still have access to telehealth services without geographic or site restrictions for:
- Mental health disorders
- Substance use disorders, and also
- Monthly ESRD-related clinical assessments
The originating site for these services can continue to be the patient’s home.
- Teaching Physicians
Teaching physicians will be allowed to virtually participate in the key portion of Medicare telehealth services via audio/video real-time technology for all residency training locations through December 31, 2025.
More detailed guidance is available in the CMS CY2025 Telehealth FAQ.
CPT & HCPCS II Code Lookup
Not all services are eligible for telehealth. You can check whether specific CPT or HCPCS Level II codes are approved by Medicare, on a provisional or permanent basis, to be delivered and reported as a telehealth service.
https://www.cms.gov/medicare/coverage/telehealth/list-services
Final Thoughts
The extension of telehealth flexibilities allows accessible, patient-centered care for another few months – stay tuned for more updates as we approach the next governmental decisions!
For more details on reporting telehealth service codes in 2025, including the CPT and CMS guidelines, please see our previous blog: https://www.thehaugengroup.com/congress-extends-key-telehealth-policies-whats-next-for-2025/
Carol Paton, MSc, PG Cert., CPC, CPMA
Carol brings over 20 years of industry experience to her role as a Senior Coding Educator at Haugen Consulting Group. With a background in nursing, Carol brings a unique perspective to coding education, allowing her to communicate effectively with both coders and providers to ensure a high-quality learning experience.
A proven self-starter and valuable team member, Carol excels at motivating and developing others while building positive relationships across teams and departments. Her career spans several large specialty health systems, where she has served as a coding auditor and educator, delivering targeted education across various service lines.
Carol is a Certified Professional Medical Auditor (CPMA) and Certified Professional Coder (CPC) with extensive experience auditing Evaluation and Management (E/M) coding and surgical procedures. At Haugen, Carol applies her skills to design and deliver coding education programs, promoting compliant coding and documentation practices.
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