Medicare and Medicaid policies
Find out about how Federal regulatory changes impact telehealth services for Medicare and Medicaid patients.
Medicare telehealth flexibilities
The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 (PDF) and Calendar Year 2024 Physician Fee Schedule extended many of the telehealth flexibilities through December 31, 2024.
Detailed information on permanent and temporary Medicare telehealth flexibilities is available at telehealth policy changes after the COVID-19 public health emergency.
Medicare telehealth flexibilities include:
Patient location
Health care providers may offer telehealth services to patients located in their homes and outside of designated rural areas.
Types of telehealth services covered
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services significantly expanded the list of services that can be provided by telehealth. Some of these services will continue to be covered under Medicare through December 31, 2024.
- Some types of telehealth services no longer require both audio and video — visits can be conducted over the telephone.
- For details see this list of telehealth services covered by Medicare.
Types of eligible providers
Generally, any provider who is eligible to bill Medicare for their professional services is eligible to bill for telehealth during this period.
Supervision of health care providers
Health care providers may supervise services through audio and video communication, instead of only in-person.
Medicaid telehealth flexibilities
Medicaid coverage for telehealth varies from state to state. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has provided guidance on the process for review of telehealth state plan amendments. The Center for Connected Health Policy provides current information on individual state policies for telehealth.
Safety-net provider policies
Federally Qualified Health Centers and Rural Health Clinics can provide telehealth services to patients wherever they are located — including in their homes — through December 31, 2024. This includes coverage for certain audio-only telephone evaluation and management services.
Read more about billing Medicare as a safety-net provider.