Telehealth Updates: What You Need to Know
We’ve heard concerns about what the congressional impasse means for telehealth now that pandemic-era flexibilities expired on October 1, 2025. Some have even worried CMS has halted all reimbursement for virtual behavioral health visits, but that’s not accurate.
Medicare: CMS has placed a temporary hold on Medicare reimbursements for certain telehealth services following the expiration of the COVID PHE waiver. This is a short-term delay, not a permanent stop, and providers can still submit claims.
Medicaid: There are no known changes to Medicaid coverage for outpatient mental health services. State-based Medicaid programs continue to reimburse telehealth without interruption. While proposed work requirements could affect individual eligibility or re-enrollment, coverage for mental health telehealth remains unchanged.
For official details, see the CMS update: CMS Newsletter – October 15, 2025.
With so many changes happening at the government level and among insurance companies, it’s natural to feel uncertain. We encourage you to focus on verified information and avoid letting rumors or opinions create unnecessary stress. If someone shares information but cannot provide official documentation or a credible source, treat it with caution. Always rely on verified guidelines and trusted resources when making decisions about your licensure or exam preparation.
You can also reference Washington State Healthcare Authority (HCA) guidelines for mental health billing, which outline what impacts you if changes occur. What you may be hearing about is primarily at the federal level, which mainly affects Medicare.
- WA State Billing Guidelines: Effective October 1, 2025. See page 20 for confirmation that telehealth is covered.
- Telehealth Policy: Effective January 1, 2025, and remains in effect today.
