February 2026 Medicare Telehealth Update: Key Expiration Dates

Another Telehealth Update? Really?

If you feel like we’ve discussed Medicare telehealth policy changes a hundred times already, you’re absolutely right. Since the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency ended, the updates just keep coming. Every few months brings new guidance from CMS, another round of proposed legislation from Congress, and yet another set of deadline extensions or confirmations. The regulatory documents pile up, the policy landscape shifts, and here we are once again, parsing through the latest developments.

So yes, we’re talking about this again. Because February 2026 has brought official confirmation of where things stand, and if there’s one thing we’ve learned over the past few years, it’s that staying current with Medicare telehealth policy requires constant vigilance. Let’s break down what the latest guidance shows and why it matters — even if you’re already tired of hearing about telehealth policy changes.

Current Status: What the February 2026 Update Confirms

The Critical Point: No New Extensions

The most significant message from the February 2026 CMS update is what hasn’t happened: Medicare telehealth flexibilities have not been extended beyond existing deadlines.

CMS guidance issued in February 2026 reiterates that, without further action from Congress or CMS, existing statutory expiration dates remain in effect. This means all those deadlines we’ve been tracking are still active, and the window for legislative intervention is narrowing.

Critical reminder from CMS: Without further extensions from Congress or CMS, policies will revert to pre-pandemic rules starting January 30, 2026.

The Timeline: Key Expiration Dates

Here are the confirmed expiration dates from the February 2026 update:

December 31, 2026 — Less than a year away:

FQHC/RHC distant site status expires
- Currently, Federally Qualified Health Centers and Rural Health Clinics may qualify as distant site providers
- After this date, FQHCs and RHCs cannot qualify as distant site providers

December 31, 2027 — Just under two years:

Geographic restrictions snap back: Patient homes no longer qualify as originating sites for most services
Expanded provider eligibility ends: Limited provider types will be eligible to deliver telehealth
Behavioral health audio-only services under A/R/PPS expire: Audio-only visits covered and behavioral health paid under A/R/PPS expire
Essentially a return to pre-pandemic geographic and provider eligibility rules

What’s Actually Permanent vs. Temporary: The Real Breakdown

The February 2026 update clarifies what has permanent coverage versus what remains temporary:

Permanently Established

Policy Area	Status	Details
Audio-only E/M services	Some Permanent	CMS reimburses audio-only E/M services permanently; some audio-only services are now permanently covered
Telehealth visit reimbursement	Permanent for covered services	Telehealth medical visits reimbursed at PPS-equivalent rates
Audio-only coverage	Partial	Audio-only visits are currently covered (not all are permanent)

Temporary (With Confirmed Expiration Dates)

Policy Area	Expiration Date	What Happens After
Patient home as originating site	12/31/27	Restrictions waived; patients can be seen from any location, including home — EXPIRES
Expanded providers	12/31/27	Expanded to Physicians, OTs, PTs, SLPs — EXPIRES
FQHC/RHC distant site status	12/31/26	May qualify as distant site providers — EXPIRES; after expiration, cannot qualify
Behavioral health A/R/PPS audio	12/31/27	Audio-only visits covered; behavioral health paid under A/R/PPS — EXPIRES

Why This February 2026 Update Matters

You might wonder: if we’ve been tracking these dates for months, why does this update matter? Here’s why:

1. Official Confirmation: This is CMS formally confirming that no extensions have occurred. Every confirmation resets the planning timeline and signals to providers that hoping for last-minute changes may not be a viable strategy.

2. Imminent Deadlines: We’re now in February 2026, meaning:

The FQHC/RHC distant site provision expires in 10 months
The broader flexibilities expire in 22 months
The January 30, 2026, reversion warning has essentially already passed

3. Operational Clarity The update provides specific details on what’s permanent versus temporary, helping billing departments and practice administrators make concrete decisions.

4. Legislative Pressure Point Each official confirmation without extension creates urgency for congressional action while there’s still time.

What This Means in Practice

Let’s translate policy into real-world impact. These examples illustrate access implications under current statutory constraints:

For Rural Health Clinics

Rural Health Clinics that have been serving as distant site providers for telehealth services have less than a year to prepare. After December 31, 2026, they will no longer be able to qualify in this capacity under current regulations.

This means they need to either:

Transition patients to providers at qualifying distant sites
Shift to in-person service models
Hope for congressional extension before year-end

For Behavioral Health Providers Using Audio-Only

Mental health providers who’ve built practices around audio-only services (particularly serving patients without reliable internet or video capability) face a critical transition point at the end of 2027.

While some audio-only E/M services are permanently covered, the broader behavioral health audio-only coverage under A/R/PPS reimbursement expires December 31, 2027. Providers must:

Identify which services qualify under permanent audio-only E/M coverage
Determine which patients can transition to video
Plan for potential reduction in service capacity for audio-only-dependent populations

For Patients Receiving Care at Home

Mrs. Johnson, who lives 90 miles from the nearest psychiatrist, has been managing her depression through monthly video calls from her kitchen table. After December 2027, under current law, she’ll need to travel to an approved originating site — likely a facility 45+ miles away — to have the same video conversation with her doctor.

Mr. Chen, who manages his diabetes through phone consultations and lacks reliable internet, will need to determine whether his calls qualify under the permanent audio-only E/M coverage or whether he’ll need to transition to in-person visits after December 2027.

The Legislative Landscape

Congress could still change this. Multiple bills proposing to extend or permanently establish telehealth flexibilities remain in various stages of consideration:

The Telehealth Modernization Act
The CONNECT for Health Act
Various provisions in larger healthcare legislation

Advocacy continues from:

American Medical Association
American Telemedicine Association
Patient advocacy organizations
Rural health associations

But as the February 2026 update makes clear: advocacy hasn’t yet translated to enacted legislation.

What You Should Do Now

If you’re a healthcare provider:

Stop waiting — plan as if current expiration dates will hold
Audit your telehealth services — identify which fall under permanent vs. temporary coverage
For FQHCs/RHCs: Develop transition plans for distant site services before 12/31/26
For behavioral health: Map which audio-only services qualify under permanent E/M coverage vs. temporary A/R/PPS authority
Review patient populations — identify who will be most impacted by home originating site expiration
Consult billing specialists — ensure proper coding to maximize permanent coverage eligibility

If you’re a Medicare beneficiary:

Ask your providers which telehealth services you currently use and whether they’ll continue post-2027
Assess your technology — if you rely on audio-only, understand which services have permanent vs. temporary coverage
Explore alternatives — identify approved originating sites near you if home-based telehealth becomes unavailable
Don’t assume continuity — current arrangements may change significantly

If you’re a policy advocate:

Use this update as evidence of urgency in congressional outreach
Focus on data — demonstrate telehealth’s access and quality outcomes
Target specific provisions — blanket extensions may be harder than focused reforms
Build broad coalitions — unite provider types, patient groups, and rural advocates

***

Medicare telehealth policy is on a confirmed expiration timeline. The February 2026 update makes clear: flexibilities have not been extended. Key dates:

FQHC/RHC distant site status: Expires 12/31/26 (10 months away)
Home as originating site, expanded providers, behavioral health A/R/PPS audio: Expires 12/31/27 (22 months away)

Without congressional action, significant restrictions are coming. Some audio-only E/M services and PPS-equivalent reimbursement for covered telehealth visits remain permanent, but the broad pandemic-era flexibilities are sunsetting.

We’ll continue monitoring this. Because that’s what healthcare policy in 2026 demands: constant attention to guidance updates, congressional activity, and implementation timelines.

More updates will surely come. We’ll be here to translate them.

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Sources and References

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). “Medicare Telehealth Policy – February 2026 Update.” February 2026.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. “Medicare Telehealth Services.” Available at: https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-General-Information/Telehealth
Medicare Learning Network (MLN). “Telehealth Services Fact Sheet.” CMS MLN Publication. Available at: https://www.cms.gov/outreach-and-education/medicare-learning-network-mln/mlnproducts/downloads/telehealthsrvcsfctsht.pdf
Congressional Research Service. “Medicare and Telehealth: Coverage and Use.” Updated January 2026. Available at: https://crsreports.congress.gov
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023. Public Law 117-328. Sections extending Medicare telehealth flexibilities. Available at: https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/2617
American Medical Association. “Telehealth Policy Updates and Advocacy.” Available at: https://www.ama-assn.org/practice-management/digital/telehealth-policy
American Telemedicine Association. “Federal Telehealth Policy Resource Center.” Available at: https://www.americantelemed.org/federal-policy/
Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA). “Telehealth Programs and Policy Updates.” Available at: https://www.hrsa.gov/rural-health/telehealth
Federal Register. “Medicare Program; Calendar Year 2026 Payment Policies Under the Physician Fee Schedule.” Available at: https://www.federalregister.gov
National Rural Health Association. “Telehealth Policy Briefs and Updates.” Available at: https://www.ruralhealthweb.org/advocate/policy-documents
Kaiser Family Foundation. “Telehealth Policy Tracker: Changes to Medicare Coverage.” Updated 2026. Available at: https://www.kff.org/medicare/issue-brief/telehealth-policy-tracker/

Disclaimer: This article reflects Medicare telehealth policy status as of February 2026 based on the official CMS February 2026 Update. Policies are subject to change through congressional legislation or CMS rulemaking. Healthcare providers should consult official CMS resources, MLN Matters articles, and qualified legal and billing counsel for specific compliance questions and reimbursement determinations. This analysis is for informational purposes and does not constitute legal, billing, or medical advice.