Medicare Telehealth Flexibilities Extended Through 2027
By Walter Reiling, MD, system chief medical information officer, Premier Health; and Mandy Via, system director of access, referral management, and telehealth, Premier Health
Congress passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026 (H.R. 7148), extending key Medicare telehealth flexibilities through December 31, 2027.
The legislation also ended a partial federal government shutdown and stabilized provider reimbursement policies.
Originally introduced during the COVID-19 public health emergency, these provisions have now received a multi-year extension, providing greater continuity for integrating virtual care into patient care models. CMS has indicated that absent further action, policies will largely revert to pre-pandemic rules after 2027.
Extended flexibilities include:
- Removal of geographic and site restrictions
- Expanded list of eligible telehealth providers
- Continued participation of FQHCs and RHCs
- Delayed in-person requirements for certain mental health services
- Ongoing allowance of audio-only services
- Telehealth use for hospice recertification
The Acute Hospital Care at Home Initiative was also extended through September 30, 2030.
This extension reinforces that telehealth is now an established component of care delivery. In 2025 alone, Premier Health completed more than 200,000 telehealth visits, reflecting sustained patient demand and improved access to care.
Back to the March 2026 Premier Pulse
