Congress Extends Telehealth Provisions in Spending Bill, But Long-Term Certainty Remains Elusive

In a significant win for telehealth advocates, Congress has passed a federal government spending bill that includes short-term extensions for critical telehealth provisions through September 30, 2025. The move ensures that millions of Americans, particularly those in underserved communities, will continue to have access to essential healthcare services delivered virtually. However, the temporary nature of these extensions has reignited calls for more permanent solutions to stabilize and expand telehealth access.

Key Provisions Extended

The legislation extends several vital telehealth programs, including:

• Medicare Telehealth Flexibilities: These provisions allow telehealth visits to occur from a broader range of locations, including patients’ homes, and expand the types of qualified providers who can deliver virtual care.
• Acute Hospital Care at Home Program: This program enables Medicare-certified hospitals to provide inpatient-level care in patients’ homes, offering a cost-effective and patient-centered alternative to traditional hospital stays.

Kyle Zebley, executive director of ATA Action, the advocacy arm of the American Telemedicine Association, celebrated the vote as a “big victory for telehealth” and a “huge relief for patients and clinicians.” He emphasized the importance of these provisions in maintaining access to care for seniors, children, and families across the United States.

The Challenges of Temporary Extensions

While the extensions are a welcome reprieve, their six-month duration has drawn criticism from telehealth advocates who argue that the lack of long-term certainty undermines the progress made in modernizing healthcare delivery. Zebley expressed concern over the exclusion of other essential telehealth programs that have expired or were absent from the final bill. These include:

• First-dollar coverage for High Deductible Health Plan-Health Savings Accounts (HDHP-HSA).
• Telehealth as an excepted benefit.
• Expanded Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program (MDPP) with telehealth components.
• In-home cardiopulmonary rehabilitation services.

“The shortened duration of these extensions is an impediment to long-term certainty,” Zebley said. “We must fix this, for the sake of patients, clinicians, and our ailing healthcare system.”

Broader Implications for Telehealth

The temporary extensions highlight the ongoing “telehealth rollercoaster” that has characterized policy discussions in recent years. While the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of telehealth, the transition to a post-pandemic healthcare landscape has been fraught with uncertainty. Proponents argue that telehealth is now a fundamental part of care delivery and should be treated as such in federal policy.

Dr. Mehmet Oz, President Trump’s nominee to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, echoed this sentiment during his Senate confirmation hearing. He described telehealth as “a major focus” and emphasized its potential to make “major inroads” in healthcare delivery. “There are no opponents to this,” Oz stated, signaling strong administrative support for telehealth initiatives.

The Path Forward

While the extensions are a step in the right direction, they fall short of addressing the systemic challenges facing telehealth. The exclusion of key provisions, such as HDHP-HSA coverage and expanded MDPP services, underscores the piecemeal approach that has characterized telehealth policy to date. This lack of comprehensive reform risks leaving millions of patients without access to the full spectrum of virtual care options.

Moreover, the temporary nature of these extensions creates uncertainty for healthcare providers, who must navigate fluctuating regulations and reimbursement policies. As Zebley noted, “Restoring certainty and confidence for patients and clinicians” is essential to ensuring that telehealth can fulfill its potential as a cornerstone of modern healthcare.

Advocacy and Future Legislation

ATA Action and other advocacy groups have pledged to intensify their efforts to secure permanent telehealth provisions. Zebley expressed gratitude to Congress and the Trump administration for their support but emphasized the need for continued advocacy. “We will double down on our efforts to stop this telehealth rollercoaster,” he said.

The path forward will require bipartisan collaboration and a commitment to addressing the structural barriers that have hindered telehealth adoption. As the September 30 deadline approaches, the stakes for patients, providers, and policymakers alike could not be higher.