The Latest on Telehealth Flexibilities

From National Alliance for Care at Home:

Without current confirmation of further extension, the Alliance recommends that hospices and home health agencies prepare for the end of the telehealth flexibilities on September 30.

A continuing resolution (CR) extending government funding through November 21, 2025 has been introduced, including an extension of all telehealth flexibilities (the hospice F2F and the home health F2F) through that same period. However, the CR process is still fluid, and it is still unclear whether the bill will make it to signature. It remains possible that September 30 will come and go without resolution which would require providers to operate without the telehealth flexibilities.

While this may only be short-lived, providers should prepare for it. This may mean reviewing all the F2F encounter due dates within the hospice F2F encounter timeframe which is 30 days prior to the third or subsequent benefit period. If the due date falls within the 30 day period after September 30 (October 30) and the hospice wishes to utilize telehealth for the encounter, organizations may want to have it completed no later than September 30. 

The F2F encounter due date may be more difficult to anticipate in home health, but if agencies are aware of any encounters that are needed prior to the home health encounter timeframe – 90 days before or 30 days after the start of care – where the practitioner would like to utilize telehealth to complete the encounter, the agency may want to make the practitioner and patient aware of the telehealth flexibilities expiration date so they can plan accordingly. 

The Alliance will continue to update members with the latest news as it happens.