MGMA: Congress needs to act soon to preserve access to telemedicine programs
As the clock ticks toward the end of September, healthcare leaders are warning that Medicare patients could soon lose access to many telemedicine services unless Congress acts.
The temporary telehealth flexibilities first authorized during the COVID-19 pandemic are set to expire Sept. 30, raising concerns among physicians, patients and advocacy groups who say the changes have become essential to modern medical care.
“Prior to COVID, Medicare did not cover telehealth outside of rural areas, and even in a rural area, for telehealth to be delivered in what was called an originating site. So it's not like something that you could log onto your iPad and your living room and receive a visit from your physician," explained Anders Gilberg, MGMA, senior vice president, government affairs, at the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) in an interview with Health Exec.
He said telehealth offers a convenient tool for patients who are expecting to access many things important to their lives via the web, while at the same time improving efficiency for healthcare providers, who are increasing taxed by growing numbers of patients and an expanding physician shortage.
"Now, many elderly folks have used telehealth since COVID to maintain access to their physician and avoid costly transportation issues and time and just all the hassles that can occur when you have to go across town. For example, in a community like Washington, DC, having telehealth as an option can really help a Medicare beneficiary get access to their doctor," Gilberg said.
To avoid a rollback, lawmakers introduced bipartisan legislation (H.R. 4206), the Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effective Care Technologies (CONNECT) for Health Act of 2025. Sponsored by Reps. Mike Thompson (D-CA), David Schweikert (R-AZ.), Doris Matsui (D-CA.), and Troy Balderson (R-Ohio), the bill would make permanent many of the emergency provisions that allowed Medicare recipients to access telehealth from home. The Bill has the support of the American Medical Association (AMA), which also has concerns about losing access to telehealth as an efficiency tool in patient care.
Gilberg noted that while concerns about cost, fraud, and privacy were initially raised, several years of real-world experience have shown telehealth can safely and effectively improve access.
“Technology has evolved—secure platforms are now commonplace. It no longer makes sense to force patients to travel long distances for routine or specialty care when they can do it securely from home,” he said.
Without congressional action, Medicare coverage of telehealth outside rural areas would end, forcing elderly patients to return to outdated rules that would require them to attend in-person visits only.
“Congress has extended these flexibilities several times already, but only temporarily,” Gilberg said. “Now we need a long-term solution. This isn’t just about convenience—it’s about maintaining access to care, especially for those with mobility, transportation, or time challenges.”
Advocates argue that the bipartisan support behind the CONNECT for Health Act demonstrates momentum to preserve telemedicine. Still, with the deadline looming, stakeholders are urging swift passage to ensure Medicare patients don’t see disruptions in their care.
Dave Fornell has covered healthcare for more than 17 years, with a focus in cardiology and radiology. Fornell is a 5-time winner of a Jesse H. Neal Award, the most prestigious editorial honors in the field of specialized journalism. The wins included best technical content, best use of social media and best COVID-19 coverage. Fornell was also a three-time Neal finalist for best range of work by a single author. He produces more than 100 editorial videos each year, most of them interviews with key opinion leaders in medicine. He also writes technical articles, covers key trends, conducts video hospital site visits, and is very involved with social media. E-mail: [email protected]