Audio-Only Telehealth Access Act of 2025
Congress Proposes Permanent Medicare Coverage for Audio-Only Telehealth Appointments
Stalled
No legislative action in over 90 days.
Legislative Progress
Key Points
- This bill would change Medicare rules to permanently allow doctors to get paid for seeing patients over the phone. While many telehealth rules usually require a video connection, this plan would allow 'audio-only' calls to count as official medical visits.
- The change mainly helps seniors and people with disabilities who use Medicare. It is especially useful for people living in rural areas with slow internet or for those who do not own a smartphone or a computer with a camera.
- By allowing phone-only appointments, the bill aims to make it easier for patients to manage their health without having to travel to a doctor's office. This can save time and money on transportation, especially for routine check-ins or mental health visits.
- The bill ensures that healthcare providers are paid for these phone services just as they would be for other types of telehealth. This encourages doctors to keep offering phone options to patients who struggle with technology or travel.
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
How this policy affects specific groups of people
Milestones
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Introduced in House
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Votes
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
Related News
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A Senate deal to reopen the government includes an extension of Medicare telehealth coverage through early 2026. The move provides relief for seniors and providers who rely on virtual visits, including audio-only appointments, which have become a staple of care since the pandemic.
What the government reopening means for healthcare
Telehealth flexibilities that allowed Medicare patients to be seen virtually, including via audio-only platforms, were temporarily extended through January 2026. Data shows 25% of beneficiaries used these services in 2024, highlighting the central role of virtual care in modern medicine.
The Health 202: Telehealth policy for teaching physicians faces rollbacks
As pandemic-era flexibilities face expiration, CMS is considering rolling back certain telehealth rules. While the industry pushes for permanent audio-only coverage, some proposals suggest tighter restrictions on virtual supervision in teaching hospitals.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Audio-Only Telehealth Access Act of 2025
Data Sources
Sponsor
Cosponsors
(1)Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.