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Telehealth Flexibilities: What Physicians Need to Know
Once again, a looming expiration date for certain telehealth flexibilities is causing uncertainty and angst for many physicians, other health care providers, and patients. Congress’s failure to pass legislation to make these flexibilities permanent in the months since the previous lapse when the federal government shut-down in October 2025, has created the same wait and see scenario regarding the ability of patients to receive telehealth services regardless of where they live or where they are receiving the services.
This week, Congress released a legislative package to continue funding the federal government (the conferenced Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026) and extend pandemic-era Medicare telehealth flexibilities through 2027. Under this proposal, many of the virtual care waivers that allowed patients to receive telehealth services regardless of geographic location would be preserved for another two years, an important measure for maintaining remote access, particularly in rural and underserved communities. This longer extension gives practices more time to plan for the future while continuing to serve patients virtually.
In addition to allowing beneficiaries to receive services in their homes without geographic restrictions for another two years, this legislative proposal extends the expiration deadline from January 30, 2026 to December 31, 2027, for Federally Qualified Health Centers, Rural Health Clinics, and a wide range of eligible clinicians so that they can continue to deliver virtual care. The requirement for an in-person visit under Medicare for mental health services furnished through telehealth and telecommunications technology is also delayed for two years.
It is important that Congress understands the importance of retaining these extensions in the final budget bill. You can contact your Congressperson You can contact your Congressperson via the MSMS Engage website.
While the current focus is to ensure existing flexibilities don’t expire, any extension only preserves access for a defined period of time. The passage of legislation would be required to make them permanent beyond any respective deadlines that may be adopted.
The Michigan State Medical Society (MSMS), American Medical Association (AMA), Medical Group Management Association (MGMA), and other national and state associations have been advocating for permanent telehealth reform, emphasizing that expanded virtual care access has significantly improved care delivery across patient populations. Bipartisan bills such as the CONNECT for Health Act and the Telehealth Modernization Act would eliminate outdated geographic and originating site restrictions and make telehealth flexibilities permanent within Medicare.
Although telehealth utilization has stabilized compared with its peak during the pandemic, it remains a vital tool for enhancing access especially for behavioral health, chronic care management, and patients with mobility or transportation barriers.
Looking ahead, physicians and practice administrators should continue monitoring congressional action, recognizing that current extensions provide important but temporary stability. Long-term telehealth policy will hinge on whether Congress can enact more permanent reforms that lock in expanded access while balancing cost and regulatory concerns. In the meantime, practices should stay engaged with advocacy efforts, keep abreast of coding and reimbursement updates, and strategically evaluate how telehealth can be integrated into patient care models in ways that enhance access and outcomes.
For more information, contact Dara J. Barrera, MSMS Director of Health Quality, Equity and Technology at djbarrera@msms.org or 517-336-5770.