The Telehealth Policy Cliff: Preparing for April 1, 2025

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Introduction

April 1, 2025, might feel like an April Fool’s joke—but for healthcare providers and patients who rely on Medicare telehealth services, it could be anything but. Without Congressional action, key telehealth flexibilities that have been in place since the COVID-19 pandemic will expire on March 31, 2025. The extension of these flexibilities were tied to the federal continuing resolution.  With ongoing political uncertainty and a large number of competing priorities, there’s a real possibility that Congress may not act in time to prevent a return to pre-pandemic restrictions.

What does this mean? If the policy cliff isn’t addressed, Medicare beneficiaries may no longer be able to receive reimbursed telehealth visits from their homes. Rural and facility restrictions will be reinstated. Critical programs like Hospital at Home could face disruption. Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) will lose their ability to serve as distant site providers for most telehealth services. And while the DEA has extended flexibilities for prescribing controlled substances via telehealth until December 2025, providers may struggle to sustain telehealth-based care if reimbursement disappears.  Click here to read about all the Federal Medicare Telehealth Waivers that will be impacted.

Healthcare organizations, practices, and providers cannot afford to wait and hope for a last-minute fix—now is the time to prepare. Every Monday between now and March 31 (or until Congress takes action to extend the waiver), we’ll break down the specific telehealth flexibilities at risk, examining their impact on clinical practice and providing actionable checklists for contingency planning and communication. At a minimum, having a clear communication strategy in place will help both staff and patients understand and navigate these potential changes.

Bookmark this page and check back each Monday for the latest updates!