Several pandemic-era Medicare telehealth and payment flexibilities will now last through Sept. 30 following recent action by Congress, including those that waive geographic site restrictions for mental health telemedicine services provided without an in-person visit.
Originally set to expire March 31, these flexibilities were extended as part of a continuing resolution signed by President Donald Trump last week. The bill also extends physician payment for audio-only telehealth services and establishes payment for telehealth services provided by federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) and rural health clinics (RHCs).
Until Sept. 30, Medicare telehealth policies will continue to allow:
- Medicare patients to receive telehealth services for non-behavioral/mental health care in their homes with no geographic restrictions for originating sites;
- Physicians to offer telehealth mental health consultations without needing to meet with Medicare patients in person beforehand;
- FQHCs and RHCs to serve as Medicare distant site providers for non-behavioral/mental telehealth services and to receive payment for such services;
- The furnishing and payment of audio-only telehealth services for non-behavioral/mental telehealth visits, such as to Medicare patients that refuse in-person visits or do not have the capabilities of audio-video interaction;
- Physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, and audiologists to offer telehealth services; and
- Physicians to use telehealth to meet with patients before hospice care recertification.
The Texas Medical Association has updated its telehealth waiver chart to reflect these temporary changes. The association continues to advocate for the permanent removal of geographic site restrictions so Medicare patients can have virtual visits from their own home.
Some Medicare telehealth extensions that will continue until Dec. 31 include:
TMA continues to meet with public and private payers to ensure meaningful telehealth payment and policy remain available for Texas patients and the physicians that care for them. In the ongoing Texas legislative session, as part of its 10 key issues, TMA is advocating for high-quality, physician-led telemedicine with at least equal pay to in-person care.
Although all major Texas insurers continue to pay physicians for telemedicine services – and do not have to enforce geographic site restriction requirements, unlike Medicare – parity and geographic site regulations remain inconsistent across health plans.
Along with the updated waiver chart, find additional telemedicine resources on TMA’s dedicated webpage.
Last Updated On
March 24, 2025
Originally Published On
March 24, 2025
Alisa Pierce
Reporter, Division of Communications and Marketing
(512) 370-1469