December 2025
Telehealth Updates You Should Know for 2026!
At Bac-Office we like to stay on top, Here’s a quick breakdown of key Medicare telehealth changes coming up:
Telehealth Anywhere (Through Jan 30, 2026):
Beneficiaries can receive telehealth services from home—no rural or facility requirement.
Starting Jan 31, 2026, most services revert to rural + facility rules (behavioral health is still flexible). Behavioral Health Stays Flexible:
No geographic restrictions, audio-only allowed, and home-based telehealth continues. Who Can Provide Telehealth?
More practitioners can bill until Jan 30, 2026. After that, PTs, OTs, SLPs & audiologists lose telehealth eligibility. Audio-Only? Still OK:
Patients can receive audio-only behavioral health telehealth even after 2026—if video isn’t possible. RHCs & FQHCs:
Can keep billing many telehealth services (including behavioral health) through Dec 31, 2026. In-Person Requirements for Mental Health:
Starting Jan 31, 2026:
• One in-person visit within 6 months of the first telehealth visit
• Then one in-person visit every 12 months
(Patients already receiving services before Jan 31, 2026 follow only the 12-month rule.) Teaching Physicians:
Virtual supervision for telehealth continues starting 2026. No More Frequency Limits:
Follow-up inpatient, nursing facility, and critical care telehealth visit limits removed in 2026.
Reference – https://www.cms.gov/…/telehealth-faq-updated-11-20-2025…
These changes help expand access—especially for behavioral health—while preparing for post-pandemic rules.