Unless it's attached to any last-minute budget resolution in Congress, a pandemic-era waiver for face-to-face encounters via telehealth will end today, Sept. 30, 2025.
Agencies have been able to count on telehealth visits with a provider to certify a patient for home health for the past several years. An impasse in Washington is expected to end the telehealth waiver, as it is tied to a budget resolution that expires at midnight, Oct. 1, 2025.
Without the waiver, federal rules prevent a Medicare patient from having a telehealth visit from their home.
The expiring waivers also apply to hospice face-to-face visits that are required at recertification.
Keep monitoring guidance from CMS and your Medicare Administrative Contractor for any updates if a budget resolution is signed.