The continuing resolution (CR) signed into law by President Donald Trump on March 15 provides an extension of some key telehealth services related to home health and hospice stays.
 
The CR extended the waiver “removing geographic requirements and expanding originating sites for telehealth services.” This waiver allows for the use of telehealth for a face-to-face encounter when qualifying a patient for home health services.
 
The law also includes an extension of the use of telehealth for the face-to-face encounter prior to recertification of hospice eligibility.
Set to expire March 31, both waivers have been extended through Sept. 30, 2025.
 
These waivers have improved access to home health and hospice services, notes Scott Levy, chief legislative affairs officer for the National Alliance for Care at Home.
 
“These have proven extremely instrumental since the flexibilities were first provided during COVID and we know they have now become ingrained into much of the broader Medicare care-delivery and we support longer extension and ultimately, permanency," he says.
 
Medicare Administrative Contractors have stressed in messages to providers that documentation of telehealth encounters for home health certification purposes must:
  • Show that both audio and video portions were conducted
  • Show that there was real-time interactive communication between the patient and physician or practitioner