With the end of the federal government shutdown, Medicare Fee-For-Service telehealth flexibilities have been fully reinstated and backdated to October 1. Health centers may again provide medical and behavioral health telehealth visits for Medicare FFS patients, and any claims held during the shutdown can now be submitted and paid, even if they did not meet the temporary shutdown rules.
These flexibilities are currently extended through January 31, 2026, under the Continuing Resolution. If Congress does not pass a new funding bill and the government enters another shutdown, the Medicare telehealth flexibilities will expire, and health centers will have to revert to pre-2020 telehealth rules.
The behavioral health in-person requirement is also delayed through January 31. Unless Congress postpones it, the requirement is scheduled to begin February 1, 2026. Under this policy, new behavioral health patients will need an in-person visit before starting telehealth, and established telehealth patients will need an in-person visit at least once every 12 months.
CHCANYS will continue monitoring federal actions and will share updates as new guidance becomes available.