November 10, 2025
The Senate has reached an agreement on a continuing resolution (CR) to reopen the government, extending federal funding and authorities that expired in September through January 30, 2026. This deal includes the extension of telehealth flexibilities that were extended through the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023.
Here’s what it means:
Retroactive Payments: Any telehealth claims that were put on hold since the lapse in funding will now be paid retroactively, starting from October 1. Additionally, claims that were previously paid at a lower rate because geographic adjustments had expired may also be reprocessed and corrected.
Return to Pre-October 1 Policies: Once the CR passes, telehealth coverage and policies will return to how they were before October 1. This means providers and patients can rely on the rules and reimbursement levels that were in place before the temporary lapse in funding.
CMS Guidance: After the CR is enacted, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is expected to provide detailed guidance explaining how providers can submit claims and get paid retroactively.
Next Steps: The CR still needs approval from the House of Representatives. A final decision is expected by the end of the week; after that the retroactive payments and policy resets can begin.
In short, once the CR becomes law, delayed telehealth payments will be fixed, lower-rate payments may be corrected, and telehealth coverage will revert to pre-October 1 rules, ensuring continuity for providers and patients.