More than 28 million Medicare beneficiaries used telemedicine services during the first year of the pandemic. This rapid adoption is due in part to the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), who implemented policies allowing for greater flexibility when providing telemedicine services during the COVID-19 pandemic.  

The Senate failed to pass a stop-gap measure to continue funding the government through November 21. This means that the telehealth flexibilities under the Medicare program that were enacted during the COVID-19 pandemic expired as of October 1, 2025. The limitations that were in place for telehealth services not related to behavioral or mental health care have resumed. Maintaining and extending these policies is a top priority for the ACR, as telehealth is an important tool for our members and their patients’ access to care.

The ACR supports Congress passing any telemedicine legislation that:  

• Codifies telemedicine flexibilities implemented under the COVID-19 public health emergency.  

• Continues parity of reimbursement for in-office visits and audio-visual visits from CMS.  
• Mitigates regulatory barriers to practicing interstate telemedicine.

Ask your lawmakers to act to act to make telehealth flexibilities permanent and preserve patient access to this crucial resource! 

The ACR’s Legislative Action Center will allow you to contact your members of Congress with just a few clicks. Take a moment to send your letter today!