Telehealth Services

200 - Telehealth Services (Rev. 13600; Issued: 02-20-26; Effective: 01-01-26; Implementation:03-23-26) On March 27, 2020, Congress signed into law the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). Section 3704 of the CARES Act authorized RHCs and FQHCs to provide distant site telehealth services to Medicare patients during the COVID-19 PHE. Section 4113 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, extended this authority through December 31, 2024 and section 2207(c) of the Full- Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 amended section 1834(m)(8) of the Act to continue payment for RHC and FQHC services as Medicare telehealth services through September 30, 2025. Most recently, section 6208 of the Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026 extended these services through January 30, 2026. However, through regulation, CMS provides payment to RHCs and FQHCs when they furnish non-behavioral health visits via telecommunication technology, through December 31, 2026. That is, on a temporary basis, RHCs and FQHCs are paid under the methodology that has been in place for these services during and after the COVID- 19 PHE through December 31, 2026. Specifically, RHCs and FQHCs can bill for RHC and FQHC services furnished using telecommunication technology by reporting HCPCS code G2025 on the claim, including services furnished using audio-only communications technology through December 31, 2026. Payment for HCPCS code G2025 is based on the average amount for all PFS telehealth services on the telehealth list, weighted by volume for those services reported under the PFS. RHC and FQHC practitioners can provide distant site telehealth services – approved by Medicare as a distant site telehealth service under the physician fee schedule (PFS) – from any location in the United States (see 42 CFR 411.9(a)(1)), including their home, during the time that they’re employed by or under contract with the RHC or FQHC.