Congress fails to Extend Medicare Telehealth Flexibilities by September 30 Continuing Resolution Deadline

Congress fails to Extend Medicare Telehealth Flexibilities by September 30 Continuing Resolution Deadline

Oct 03, 2025

With Congress failing to extend the COVID-19 era Medicare telehealth flexibilities beyond September 30, licensed clinical social workers and other Medicare providers are forced to confront fresh uncertainty surrounding the statutory requirements applicable when providing Medicare services via telehealth. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued an MLN Connects Special Edition Bulletin on October 1 indicating that all Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) have been directed to temporarily hold claims for 10 business days to avoid the need to re-process claims should Congress act to further extend the flexibilities.

NASW continues to monitor developments closely and advocate for both immediate and permanent extension of these Medicare telehealth flexibilities, including elimination of the in-person requirements applicable to mental and behavioral health services. In the interim, NASW's Clinical Practice Director, Mirean Coleman, LICSW, CT, has provided Tips and Tools for Social Workers to utilize amidst this uncertainty.