Background: Telehealth Flexibilities Emerged in Response to Covid-19
Many Medicare telehealth flexibilities emerged in response to the Covid-19 Public Health Emergency and were extended through subsequent appropriations bills up through the end of this current federal budget year on September 30,2025.
As of October 1, 2025, Medicare beneficiaries must resume in-person visits for non-behavioral/mental health care. Once in a provider’s office or facility, a beneficiary may receive services from a second, remotely based provider via telehealth under certain circumstances and with approved technologies.
These restrictions on in-home telehealth do not apply to behavioral health/mental health care. Telehealth delivery for behavioral health/mental health care in the home will continue to be available for Medicare beneficiaries. Within 6 months of an initial Medicare behavioral/mental health telehealth visit, however, an in-person visit with a mental health practitioner will be required along with annual follow up in-person visits. For FQHCs and Rural Health Clinics, the in-person visit requirement for mental health services furnished in the home via telehealth will not take effect until January 1, 2026.
For Further Reading:
Telehealth.hhs.gov Policy Updates
Center for Connecte Health Policy - Live Video Policy
