Is Medicare no longer paying for telehealth?

Asked by: Mr. Ole Heathcote  |  Last update: April 15, 2025
Score: 4.3/5 (63 votes)

Medicare patients can receive telehealth services for non-behavioral/mental health care in their home through March 31, 2025. There are no geographic restrictions for originating site for Medicare non-behavioral/mental telehealth services through March 31, 2025.

Will Medicare continue to pay for telehealth in 2025?

After much uncertainty, Congress has extended many Medicare telehealth flexibilities through March 31, 2025, in its end-of-year appropriations bill.

Is Medicare stopping telehealth?

The change supported more equitable access to care. These policies were temporary. But lawmakers saw the growing importance of telehealth for all Medicare patients. In 2022, Congress extended the telehealth flexibilities through December 31, 2024.

Does Medicare pay for audio only telehealth in 2024?

While many other provisions related to telehealth coverage expire at the end of 2024, Medicare beneficiaries may continue to receive behavioral health services from their homes, in both urban and rural areas, and may do so via audio-only platforms if they are unable to access a video connection or do not consent to ...

What are the changes to telehealth in 2024?

Beginning May 12, 2024, practices are no longer allowed to waive cost-sharing for telehealth services provided to Medicare beneficiaries.

How CMS 2025 Proposed Changes Will Impact Telehealth Providers

19 related questions found

Is Teladoc covered by Medicare?

Teladoc is free for L.A. Care Medi-Cal, L.A. Care Covered, L.A. Care Medicare Plus and PASC-SEIU Plan members. Pre-approval is not needed. Please note that Medi-Cal Members who have additional Medicare coverage may not be eligible, such as Full Dual CCI – Partial Dual Part B members.

Will telehealth be extended?

H.R. 10545 extends certain telehealth flexibilities through March 31, 2025. These include: Removing geographic requirements and expanding originating sites for telehealth services.

What are the changes for Medicare in 2025?

For the first time, beginning in 2025, the drug law, known as the Inflation Reduction Act, requires all Medicare prescription drug plans (Medicare Part D plans) — including both standalone Medicare prescription drug plans and Medicare Advantage plans with prescription drug coverage — to offer enrollees the option to ...

How many therapy sessions does Medicare pay for?

Yes, Medicare does limit the number of counseling sessions, specifically under Medicare Part B. Initially, you're allowed up to 20 outpatient individual or group therapy sessions per year. However, it's important to note that further sessions may be authorized if deemed medically necessary by your healthcare provider.

What is the difference between telehealth and telemedicine?

While telemedicine refers specifically to remote clinical services, telehealth can refer to remote non-clinical services, such as provider training, administrative meetings, and continuing medical education, in addition to clinical services. There are several other ways to define telehealth.

Is telemedicine going to end?

Without any congressional action, the telehealth world is set to revert back to a pre-COVID-19 framework on January 1, 2025, where specifically for Medicare patients, with few exceptions including some for rural areas, patients can no longer receive telehealth in their homes.

Does Medicare pay for doctor office visits?

Medicare covers most services, items, and supplies in hospitals, doctors' offices, and other health care facilities when they are “medically necessary” to treat a disease or condition.

How much is Teladoc without insurance?

You can create an account to confirm your coverage or see the pricing ranges below: With insurance, General Medical visits can be as low as $0 (based on your benefits) per visit. Without insurance, General Medical is $89 per visit.

How long will Medicare allow telehealth?

Telehealth services can be provided by all eligible Medicare providers through March 31, 2025. Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) can serve as Medicare distant site providers for non-behavioral/mental telehealth services through March 31, 2025.

How much longer will Medicare be around?

Medicare and Social Security are projected to run out of money by 2036.

Does original Medicare cover dentures?

In most cases, Medicare doesn't cover dental services like routine cleanings, fillings, tooth extractions, or items like dentures.

Does Medicare pay for online therapy?

Online therapy Medicare costs

Telehealth falls under Part B coverage with Original Medicare. After someone meets their annual deductible, which is $257 in 2025, they will pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for the online therapy. Telehealth services typically cost the same as in-person services of the same type.

What will Medicare not pay for?

We don't cover these routine items and services: Routine or annual physical checkups (visit Medicare Wellness Visits to learn about exceptions). exams required by third parties, like insurance companies, businesses, or government agencies. Eye exams for prescribing, fitting, or changing eyeglasses.

How many PT visits does Medicare cover for seniors?

There's no limit on how much Medicare pays for your medically necessary outpatient physical therapy services in one calendar year.

What will happen to Medicare in 2026?

The Contract Year (CY) 2026 MA and Part D proposed rule aims to hold MA and Part D plans more accountable for delivering high-quality coverage so that people with Medicare are connected to the care they need when they need it.

Why are hospitals refusing Medicare Advantage plans?

Among the most commonly cited reasons are excessive prior authorization denial rates and slow payments from insurers. In 2023, Becker's began reporting on hospitals and health systems nationwide that dropped some or all of their Medicare Advantage contracts.

What's new for Medicare in 2024?

Starting January 1, 2024, Medicare will cover mental health care services provided by marriage & family therapists and mental health counselors.

Does Medicare pay for telehealth in 2025?

Location. Medicare patients can receive telehealth services for non-behavioral/mental health care in their home through March 31, 2025. There are no geographic restrictions for originating site for Medicare non-behavioral/mental telehealth services through March 31, 2025.

Is telehealth ending in 2024?

We continue to carefully consider the input received and are working to promulgate a final set of telemedicine regulations. However, with the end of 2024 quickly approaching, DEA, jointly with HHS, has extended current telemedicine flexibilities through December 31, 2025.

Is telehealth therapy ending?

Unlike the DEA flexibilities, many of the COVID-era flexibilities for traditional Medicare coverage of telehealth services will end on December 31, 2024. Despite bipartisan support, congressional action is required to extend broad coverage for certain telehealth services existing since March 2020.