11/13/2025
MEDICARE Update :
Good news Re: in person Congress Voting since re-opening, "In addition, the short-term funding bill also includes another extension of the Medicare telehealth flexibilities, for that same time period. In other words, "there will again be no requirement for in-person visits every 12 months, or first visit in-person for new clients".
This all could all be voted on again in Jan. 2026 unless there are further changes. For some context, this has been an issue since Medicare first put telehealth allowances into their regulations back in 2020, which included the in-person requirements. Those requirements have been waived multiple times, but still remain in regulations.
There is a bit more information here: [Senate Passes CR Extending Medicare Telehealth Flexibilities | Telehealth.org]
(https://telehealth.org/blog/senate-passes-cr-extending-medicare-telehealth-flexibilities-through-january-2026/)
"And to add that here is a federal bill in process to make the telehealth flexibilities permanent, which would eliminate this repeated uncertainty. Info and advocacy link on National NASW site here: [https://www.socialworkers.org/Advocacy/Action-Center](https://www.socialworkers.org/Advocacy/Action-Center)
The bottom line is that for now, Medicare telehealth rules go back to pre-shutdown allowances - full telehealth services are allowed, with no requirement for in-person visits.
https://telehealth.org/blog/senate-passes-cr-extending-medicare-telehealth-flexibilities-through-january-2026/"
The Senate approved a continuing resolution on November 10, 2025, that would extend key Medicare telehealth flexibilities through January 30, 2026.
