The ongoing expansion ensures that Medicare patients, whether located in urban or rural areas throughout the U.S., can access a broad range of telehealth services from the comfort of their homes through the end of September 2025. As telehealth continues to reshape healthcare delivery, this legislation underscores the importance of maintaining patient access and convenience well beyond the pandemic.
What the Extension Means for Medicare Telehealth Eligibility
Medicare beneficiaries can enjoy the flexibility of receiving telehealth services at any location nationwide, including their homes, until September 30, 2025. After this date, most telehealth services will require patients to be physically located in a rural office or medical facility within the U.S. to qualify, reinstating previous geographic limitations.
However, certain critical telehealth services will remain accessible regardless of the patient’s location. These include:
- Monthly End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) visits for home dialysis
- Diagnosis and treatment for acute stroke symptoms, including mobile stroke unit services
- Behavioral and mental health services for diagnosis, treatment, and substance use disorder management
- Diabetes self-management training
- Medical nutrition therapy
Understanding Telehealth Costs and Covered Services
Medicare Part B covers select telehealth services at the same cost-sharing rates as comparable in-person visits. Patients are responsible for paying 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after meeting the Part B deductible, ensuring cost parity between telehealth and traditional care.
Important components of telehealth coverage include:
- Preventive health screenings and general office visits
- Psychotherapy and behavioral health services
- Expanded services since 2020, including physical and occupational therapy, emergency room visits, and nursing facility care
Telehealth does not cover procedures requiring physical exams, lab work, injections, or imaging studies.
The Growing Popularity and Benefits of Telehealth for Medicare Beneficiaries
Although usage of telehealth services has declined somewhat since the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, it remains approximately twice the pre-pandemic levels. According to a Kaiser Family Foundation (KKF) report, 12.7% of eligible beneficiaries utilized telehealth in the last three months of 2023 alone.
The benefits of telehealth services include enhanced safety and convenience, especially for vulnerable populations. For example, immunocompromised patients can avoid exposure to contagious illnesses by attending appointments virtually. Telehealth also offers time savings, faster appointments, and access to a broader range of healthcare providers regardless of geographical constraints, making it an invaluable option for seasonal travelers and those in disaster-affected areas.
“Telehealth continues to transform how Medicare beneficiaries access care by providing safe, convenient, and effective options that extend beyond traditional health settings,” notes healthcare policy experts.
Medicare Advantage Plans and Telehealth Flexibilities
Medicare Advantage (MA) plans are required to cover all Part A and Part B benefits, including telehealth services. Many MA plans offer even greater telehealth coverage flexibility, often including benefits beyond those provided by traditional Medicare, such as eye and dental exams. Unlike traditional Medicare, some MA plans may maintain the expanded telehealth coverage even after the March 31 deadline, providing an additional resource for beneficiaries seeking virtual care.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Medicare Telehealth
While existing legislation has extended telehealth services through September 2025, proposals like the Telehealth Modernization Act of 2024 have yet to offer permanent solutions. The act currently proposes temporary extensions but does not eliminate geographic and originating site restrictions that could limit telehealth access post-extension.
One alternative route for beneficiaries is through Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs), which can waive geographic limitations and continue offering telehealth services in patients’ homes even if broader flexibilities expire.
Despite these ongoing challenges, maintaining and expanding telehealth accessibility is widely recognized as essential for improving healthcare delivery and patient outcomes.
Key Takeaways for Medicare Beneficiaries
- Telehealth services will be available nationwide through September 30, 2025.
- Post-September, many telehealth visits will require patients to be located in rural medical settings, with some exceptions.
- Costs for telehealth visits align with in-person visit rates under Medicare Part B.
- Telehealth provides convenient access to mental health, chronic disease management, and follow-up care among other services.
- Medicare Advantage plans may offer expanded telehealth benefits beyond traditional Medicare.