By: Christopher Parrella, Esq., CPC, CHC, CPCO
Parrella Health Law, Boston, MA.
A Health Care Provider Defense and Compliance Firm

The U.S. Congress has officially extended key telehealth flexibilities under H.R. 1968 – the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025. This move ensures that telehealth services, which saw a dramatic expansion during the COVID-19 pandemic, will continue to be accessible for Medicare beneficiaries through at least the end of 2025.

What’s Included in the Telehealth Extension?

The Medicare telehealth flexibilities extended under Section 2207 of the bill allow:

1. Expanded Eligibility for Telehealth Services: Medicare beneficiaries can continue to receive telehealth services regardless of geographic restrictions, meaning patients in urban areas can still access remote care.
2. Continuation of Provider Flexibilities: The bill maintains temporary waivers that allow a broader range of healthcare providers, including physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists, to offer telehealth services.
3. Audio-Only Telehealth Visits: The extension keeps in place allowances for audio-only visits, which are critical for patients who lack access to broadband internet or video-capable devices.
4. Flexibility for Controlled Substance Prescriptions: The law preserves existing flexibilities for prescribing controlled substances via telehealth without an in-person visit, a crucial allowance for behavioral health and pain management providers.

Why This Matters for Healthcare Providers

For behavioral health and addiction treatment providers, these flexibilities are particularly impactful. With parity enforcement issues already creating barriers to care, telehealth remains a lifeline for mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) treatment.

Additionally, rural healthcare providers and specialists serving underserved communities will benefit from the continued ability to reach patients without requiring them to travel long distances.

What’s Next?

While this extension provides a short-term solution, long-term clarity is still needed. Healthcare organizations, compliance professionals, and lawmakers continue to push for permanent telehealth reforms to ensure stability for providers and patients alike.

For now, healthcare entities should review their telehealth policies to ensure they comply with evolving regulatory standards. With federal enforcement ramping up against fraud and improper billing in telehealth, compliance teams must remain vigilant. If you have questions about telehealth regulatory compliance, reimbursement, or fraud risks, contact Parrella Health Law at 857.328.0382 or email me directly at cparrella@parrellahealthlaw.com.