The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released an updated policy regarding Telehealth flexibilities authorized during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE). The HHS extended temporary telehealth flexibilities through December 31, 2024, while others will remain permanent.
According to the HHS release, temporary flexibilities extended through the end of 2024 include:
Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) can act as distant site providers for non-behavioral/mental telehealth services
Medicare patients can receive telehealth services in their home
No geographic restrictions for originating site for non-behavioral/mental telehealth services
Some non-behavioral/mental telehealth services can be conducted using audio-only communication
An in-person visit is not required within six months, then annually after an initial behavioral/mental telehealth service
Telehealth services can be provided by ALL eligible Medicare providers
The Telehealth flexibilities that will be adopted as permanent policy according to the HHS notification are:
FQHCs and RHCs can act as distant site providers for behavioral/mental telehealth services
Medicare patients can receive telehealth services for behavioral/mental health care in their home
No geographic restrictions for originating site for behavioral/mental telehealth services
Behavioral/mental telehealth services can be administered via audio-only communication
Rural Emergency Hospitals (RHEs) are eligible originating sites for telehealth
For additional information regarding this news bulletin, please visit the HHS website.
