Medicare’s temporary telehealth flexibilities ended on October 1, 2025, due to a lack of Congressional action, meaning most virtual visits are no longer covered unless Congress extends them again. As a result, many healthcare providers have canceled or are rescheduling Medicare telehealth appointments, requiring patients to come in person. For patients who still have virtual appointments, a provider may ask them to sign an Advance Beneficiary Notice (ABN).
What you can do
- Check with your provider: Contact your doctor’s office to see if your appointment has been canceled or needs to be moved to an in-person visit.
- Prepare for in-person visits: Be ready to schedule an in-person appointment if your provider requires it.
- Understand your options: If a virtual visit is still available, you may be asked to sign an ABN, which confirms that you agree to pay for the visit out-of-pocket if Medicare does not cover it.
- Stay informed: Visit the official Medicare.gov website for the most up-to-date information on telehealth coverage.
- Consider other options: Explore the in-person visit options at your clinic.
- Note: Some states have different rules. For example, Medi-Cal telehealth is not affected by this change, according to the California Medical Association.
Why this is happening
- The temporary flexibilities put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic have expired.
- Without a new law from Congress, Medicare’s coverage reverts to the pre-pandemic rules, which only covered a limited number of telehealth services.
- A government shutdown has prevented Congress from acting to restore these flexibilities.