Telehealth just got another six months of critical support. President Trump signed a critical federal spending bill that, among other items, extends key telehealth flexibilities through September 30, 2025, ensuring that millions of patients, hospitals, and clinicians can continue to rely on virtual care.
“With the Continuing Resolution, Congress and the President have reaffirmed that telehealth is essential to modern healthcare,” said Dr. Chris Gallagher, CEO of Access TeleCare. “Virtual care has repeatedly proven its value in expanding specialty care access and improving patient outcomes. Permanent policy change that makes telemedicine a foundational part of care delivery is the next frontier.”
As a proud member of ATA Action, Access TeleCare joins the American Telemedicine Association’s advocacy efforts in acknowledging this step forward, while also recognizing that temporary extensions of telehealth flexibilities are not enough. Hospitals and providers need long-term certainty to continue investing in telemedicine solutions that improve specialty access, hospital capacity, and patient care outcomes.
What the CR Means for Telehealth Access
- Geographic and originating site restrictions are removed, allowing patients to receive telehealth services from various locations, including their homes, regardless of where they live.
- The range of healthcare practitioners authorized to provide telehealth services is expanded.
- Federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics remain eligible to furnish telehealth services.
- Implementation of in-person visit requirements for mental health services delivered via telehealth is delayed.
- Authorization of audio-only telehealth services is maintained.
Telehealth Must Be a Permanent Solution
While the extension of the telehealth flexibilities is a positive step, the short timeline creates uncertainty for hospitals and providers trying to implement long-term telehealth programs.
Telemedicine is a critical tool for solving healthcare workforce shortages, reducing patient transfers, and ensuring access to specialists across all care settings. Legislation that makes permanent telehealth flexibilities is needed to support hospitals and providers in delivering high-quality, sustainable virtual care.
