Telehealth will soon no longer be covered by Medicare

INDIANAPOLIS — If you or someone you love is on Medicare, there are some changes to healthcare access you need to know about.

Telehealth phone and video visits will no longer be covered for certain patients. Telehealth services will still allow for the disabled, elderly and immunocompromised to be seen by a doctor through a phone or video call.

This also applies to those in rural areas, where medical centers are few and far between.

“Countless Indianapolis residents and Hoosier residents across the state absolutely rely on Medicare and Telehealth,” said Democratic Representative Andre Carson. “It makes these services more accessible. It makes them more cost-effective and cheaper.”

In December 2024, Congress set a deadline when Telehealth would be eliminated from Medicare coverage.

However, Republicans and Democrats agreed on a spending package to extend the benefits until around now.

Medicare-covered patients are noticing changes to the website, indicating the federal policy will change on April 1.

Appointments after this date will likely be rescheduled for in person.

“I have to be very clear, I absolutely oppose any cuts to Medicare, this includes telehealth,” said Carson.

Carson said he believes this system expands access to primary care.

“Healthcare should not only be a priority, it should be paramount, and all Americans should have access to health care,” he said.

The change will affect patients but will also likely affect medical centers with a rise in in-person appointments.

“This is going to be disruptive to hospitals,” said Carson. “It’s going to interfere in their ecosystem, and I think it’s so unfortunate.”

FOX59/CBS4 reached out to several other representatives about their reaction to this.

Republican Rep. Victoria Spartz also weighed in on the topic.

“Congress should make the Medicare telehealth flexibilities permanent to improve access and value for seniors,” said Spartz. “It should also eliminate abuses by some large hospitals over-billing Medicare and costing taxpayers billions of dollars.”

There are a few exceptions to the benefits change.

The Medicare website states that patients who are not in a rural healthcare setting can still get certain services like mental health treatment.

Representative Carson added that there is still a chance for another extension. To learn more about the changes to Medicare coverage, click here.