Telehealth Providers & Patients – Important Reminder!
The current Medicare telehealth extension is in place through September 30, 2025. After that date, important changes will take effect that providers and patients need to prepare for.
Key Date: October 1, 2025
Starting October 1, 2025, new rules apply for mental health telehealth services:
In-Person Requirement:
Patients must have an in-person visit within 6 months before starting telehealth mental health care.
After that, an annual in-person visit is required to continue telehealth services.
Applicability:
Applies to traditional Medicare telehealth settings beginning October 1, 2025.
Applies to RHCs (Rural Health Clinics) and FQHCs (Federally Qualified Health Centers) beginning January 1, 2026.
Good News for Telehealth Users
Despite these changes, several patient-friendly policies remain in place:
Home-based telehealth for mental health is still allowed.
No geographic or originating site restrictions – patients can connect from anywhere.
Audio-only telehealth visits remain permitted.
These flexibilities ensure that patients continue to have broad access to mental health support.
Other Insurance Providers
Commercial insurance and Medicaid have not yet announced major updates.
However, private payers often follow Medicare’s lead, so be prepared for similar changes in the future.
If you use or provide telehealth services, make sure you:
Mark September 30, 2025 on your calendar.
Prepare for new Medicare requirements starting October 1, 2025.
Stay informed about updates from private insurers and Medicaid.
Telehealth remains a powerful tool for expanding access to care—just be sure you’re ready for these upcoming policy adjustments.
