From MLN Connects Newsletter, Special Edition: October 1, 2025:

What’s Changing with Medicare Telehealth?

1. Fewer Services Will Be Covered
   Many telehealth services that were allowed during the COVID-19 emergency will no longer be covered unless Congress acts. This mostly affects non-mental health services.

2. As prior to COVID -19 Flexibilities, Where the Patient Is Matters
   Patients must be in rural areas or certain medical facilities to get Medicare-covered telehealth (except for mental health care).
   Services from home will not be covered for most types of care.

3. Mental Health Services Are Still Covered
   Telehealth for mental and behavioral health can still be done from home.
   However, patients must have an in-person visit at least once every year to keep using telehealth for these services. 

4. Advance Notice May Be Needed
   If a provider offers a telehealth service that Medicare won’t pay for, they may need to give the patient an Advance Beneficiary Notice to explain the cost.

5. Some Providers Can Still Use Telehealth Freely
   Providers in Medicare Shared Savings Program ACOs can continue offering telehealth without location limits, even after October 1.

    

   Source: https://www.cms.gov/medicare/payment/fee-for-service-providers 

This edition of the newsletter was sent to subscribers on October 1.  You are encouraged to subscribe to updates from CMS. Archived editions of the newsletter are available here.

The NC Office of Rural Health has released Wave 2 of the Telehealth Infrastructure Grants funding opportunity! Applicants have until January 31, 2025 to apply.

Grants resulting from this Request for Applications (RFA) will enhance the accessibility and effectiveness of telehealth services throughout the state.  This RFA aims to support the development and improvement of the technological infrastructure required for delivering remote healthcare services, such as broadband connectivity, video conferencing systems, electronic medical records, and secure communication tools with a priority on independent primary care practices and Ob-GYN practices.

The Northwest AHEC Practice Support Team supports social, physical, and economic environments which promote attaining the full potential of health and well-being for all. This blog segment highlights impactful publications which promote improved health outcomes through Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) each month.

New technologies are fundamentally changing the way people interact with health care. Successful implementation of digital health technology will be imperative for improving patient outcomes and ensuring financial stability for health care practices.

In an effort to improve physician skills and experience with Telehealth, Northwest AHEC and Wake Forest School of Medicine Internal Residency were awarded a grant to produce online learning for physicians and distribute medical supplies to patients.  Funding allowed telehealth technology capabilities to be fully integrated in two clinics.

Why Providing Care Across State Lines Is No Longer as Simple as It Was Early in the Pandemic

The Secretary of Health and Human Services has declared and extended a public health emergency (PHE) related to the COVID-19 pandemic since January 27, 2020.

• The secretary must issue a PHE renewal every 90 days
• Many waivers and policy implementation dates are tied to the expiration of the COVID-19 PHE. 
• HHS has reiterated its intent to provide states with a 60-day notice prior to the expiration of the PHE
  
  

Lifeline is a federal government program that offers a monthly discount on phone, internet or bundled package bills to qualified low-income people, which can give them the tools to access services like telehealth.  People living on Tribal Lands can receive additional benefit.