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What Doctors Need to Know About the 2025 Telehealth Policy Changes

  • Writer: Suzannah Fritchman
    Suzannah Fritchman
  • Apr 5
  • 3 min read

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth has been a vital tool in ensuring continued access to care. Temporary federal waivers allowed physicians and healthcare organizations to deliver remote services with fewer restrictions—helping keep both patients and providers safe while maintaining continuity of care.


But on March 31, 2025, many of those emergency flexibilities expired.


Without new Congressional action, this shift marks a significant change in how telehealth services can be delivered and reimbursed, requiring healthcare providers to reassess their virtual care strategies.


So what exactly changed—and how can your organization prepare?


 

Key Telehealth Flexibilities That Expired


Several critical provisions expired with the close of the Public Health Emergency (PHE) flexibilities, including:


  1. Location Restrictions for PatientsDuring the pandemic, patients could receive telehealth care from home. Now, Medicare patients may again be required to access services from designated originating sites, typically healthcare facilities in rural areas. This significantly reduces accessibility, especially for homebound or mobility-challenged individuals.

  2. Eligible Provider TypesTemporary waivers had expanded the list of providers eligible to offer telehealth services. With the expiration, some practitioners—such as physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists—may no longer qualify for reimbursement for remote services under Medicare.

  3. Audio-Only VisitsMedicare had allowed reimbursement for audio-only visits, recognizing that many patients lack video capability. As of April 1, 2025, these flexibilities have ended for most services, potentially cutting off care access for elderly patients or those in underserved communities.

  4. Licensure Across State LinesThe federal government had temporarily relaxed requirements for practicing across state lines. Now, healthcare professionals may need to revalidate licensure compliance depending on state regulations—especially if they’ve been serving out-of-state patients via telehealth.


 

What This Means for Physicians and Practices


For many practices, this means rethinking virtual care workflows.


  • Reimbursement Models May Change: Medicare and commercial payers are likely to revise their telehealth reimbursement models. Providers must confirm what services are still billable under their current payer contracts.

  • Compliance and Risk Management: Without federal waivers, compliance risk increases. Make sure your team is up to date on HIPAA requirements, licensure rules, and documentation standards for telehealth visits.

  • Patient Access Challenges: Restricting telehealth options could reduce patient engagement and follow-up care, particularly in rural or underserved communities. Consider hybrid care models that integrate in-person visits with compliant virtual services where possible.

  • Technology Upgrades: Practices may need to invest in more robust EHR integrations, secure video platforms, and patient education to support more structured, compliant telehealth operations moving forward.


 

What’s Next?


Industry stakeholders, including the American Medical Association (AMA) and the American Telemedicine Association (ATA), are urging Congress to make permanent many of the pandemic-era telehealth reforms.


According to the Center for Connected Health Policy, multiple bipartisan bills are under review in both the House and Senate. These proposals aim to address geographic restrictions, provider eligibility, and Medicare reimbursement parity. However, their passage remains uncertain.


 

How to Stay Ahead


Physicians and practice leaders should act now:

  • Review your payer contracts and Medicare guidelines.

  • Audit your telehealth billing and compliance workflows.

  • Educate staff and patients about what changes mean for access.

  • Engage with your state medical board regarding licensure.


Above all, stay informed. Organizations like CMS and CCHP offer frequent updates and toolkits for navigating policy changes.


 

Final Thoughts


Telehealth is here to stay—but the rules around how it can be used are shifting. As the policy landscape evolves, practices must adapt quickly to continue offering high-quality, accessible care.


At Med Match Solutions, we stay on top of healthcare policy developments so that our partner clinics and candidates are always prepared. If you’re a healthcare organization looking to adapt to the latest changes—or a physician navigating new compliance requirements—our team is here to support your next step.


Need guidance? Connect with Med Match Solutions today.

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