Telehealth access is once again at risk as Congress faces a Sept. 30 deadline to fund the federal government and address expiring programs and waivers.

For more than five years, telehealth has been a cornerstone of care delivery for Medicare beneficiaries, enabling millions of Americans to access critical healthcare services. For rural, marginalized and underserved communities, telehealth is a crucial tool that ensures timely, equitable and effective care. However, without congressional action, Medicare telehealth waivers will expire Sept. 30, 2025.

Act now: Contact your senators and representatives today to ensure Medicare beneficiaries don’t lose access to critical telehealth services.

Current telehealth flexibilities, which have been in place since the 2020 Public Health Emergency, were most recently extended through the full year via the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act of 2025, which passed March 15, 2025. With the next deadline fast approaching and a busy legislative calendar, Congress will most likely fund the federal government and include must-pass legislation through a continuing resolution.

HIMSS continues to advocate for a long-term or permanent solution for Medicare telehealth access and avoid short-term, temporary extensions that create uncertainty for patients, caregivers and providers.

HIMSS has joined more than 350 healthcare organizations on an urgent letter to congressional leaders calling on Congress to extend Medicare telehealth flexibilities. The letter calls for the longest possible extension of existing telehealth authorities, with a minimum two-year extension needed to ensure continuity of care and operational stability.

In support of a permanent solution to address telehealth, bipartisan and bicameral legislation has been introduced to expand access for millions of Medicare beneficiaries. The CONNECT for Health Act of 2025 (HR. 4206 /S. 1261) was introduced in April and offers the ideal, long-term solution to preserve these benefits. The bill would permanently remove geographic restrictions on Medicare telehealth services and allow patients to receive care from any location, including their homes. This legislation represents a crucial step toward building a more accessible, equitable and future-ready healthcare system.

HIMSS is proud to endorse this legislation and remains committed to working with Congress and federal agencies to advance lasting, evidence-based telehealth policy that meets the evolving needs of patients, providers and communities nationwide.

“Telehealth has transformed care delivery, breaking down geographic and logistical barriers for millions of Americans,” said Tom Leary, HIMSS Senior Vice President & Head of Government Relations. “Extending current Medicare telehealth flexibilities will preserve access, ensure continuity of care and allow the U.S. health system to keep innovating to meet the needs of every patient, everywhere. We urge Congress to take the necessary actions to ensure people have critical access to healthcare.”