Telehealth Services Under Medicare Just Got Much Harder To Access. Here's What To Know

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many people turned to telehealth to see their doctors or other medical specialists. To assist older adults who were at higher risk for hospitalization or complications from COVID-19, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) expanded telehealth coverage. Before the pandemic, Medicare generally restricted telehealth to people living in rural areas and required them to travel to a designated clinic or hospital to connect with their doctor. The expansion allowed anyone, regardless of geographic location, to receive telehealth services from home.

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Congress extended these expanded telehealth flexibilities even after the public health emergency ended, but many of them were set to expire on Septe