The COVID-era telehealth flexibilities just got extended through December 31, 2027.
That means you can keep using telehealth from home for Medicare-covered services. No more driving to the doctor's office for routine appointments. No more sitting in waiting rooms.
If you've been relying on telehealth or you've been curious about it, here's what the extension means for you and your family.
What Got Extended
During COVID, Medicare relaxed its telehealth rules to make care more accessible. Those temporary flexibilities were supposed to end, but Congress extended them through 2027.
Here's what's still covered:
You can use telehealth from anywhere. Before COVID, Medicare only covered telehealth if you were in a rural area. Now you can access care from your home, your office, or wherever you are.
You can see a wider range of providers. Medicare now covers telehealth visits with doctors, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, mental health counselors, and other licensed providers.
Audio-only visits count. If you don't have access to video or you're more comfortable with a phone call, Medicare covers audio-only telehealth for certain services.
Who This Helps Most
Families with aging parents. If your mom or dad has mobility issues, chronic conditions, or just hates driving to appointments, telehealth makes routine care easier.
People managing chronic conditions. Diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease. These require regular check-ins, and telehealth means you don't have to take half a day off work for a 15-minute appointment.
Mental health patients. Therapy and counseling work well over telehealth.
Rural families. If the nearest specialist is 90 minutes away, telehealth saves time, gas money, and stress.
What's Still Covered
Not every medical issue can be handled over telehealth. But a lot of routine care works fine remotely.
Here's what you can typically do via telehealth:
Primary care follow-ups. Reviewing test results, adjusting medications, discussing symptoms.
Mental health therapy. Individual therapy, couples counseling, psychiatry appointments.
Chronic condition management. Check-ins for diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma, and other ongoing conditions.
What Families Should Do Now
If you haven't tried telehealth yet, now's a good time. Call your doctor's office and ask if they offer telehealth appointments.
Set up your Medicare or insurance login online. You'll need to book telehealth appointments through a patient portal or app in many cases.
If you're caring for aging parents, help them get set up. Walk them through booking a telehealth appointment, using the video app, and joining the call.
What Happens After 2027?
Nobody knows yet. Congress could extend the flexibilities again, make them permanent, or let them expire.
The healthcare industry is pushing for permanent telehealth coverage. Providers like it because it reduces no-shows. Patients like it because it's convenient. Insurers like it because it's often cheaper.
What Bivvy Health Does
Bivvy Health was built for families who need affordable, accessible healthcare. Telehealth is a big part of that.
Low monthly cost. No surprise bills. Access to licensed providers. Whether it's a sick kid, a routine check-in, or a mental health appointment, you can get care without breaking the bank.
The 2027 extension is good news for families. It means telehealth isn't going anywhere for the next few years.
Thoughts?