Telehealth Changes in 2025: What Physicians Need to Know
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) have announced their updates for 2025, and unfortunately, many of these changes are likely to make managing telehealth services more complex for medical practices. While telehealth has proven to be a lifeline for patients and providers alike, especially during the pandemic, these new regulations feel like a step backward in many ways. From reinstating restrictive policies to updating CPT codes that will require significant adjustments in billing processes, practices now face yet another round of hurdles to maintain compliance and revenue.
These changes don’t just complicate the logistics of telehealth—they may also limit access for some patients who rely on its convenience and flexibility. As CMS prioritizes cost-effectiveness and oversight, practices are left to grapple with more administrative burdens and workflow disruptions. In this article, we’ll break down what’s changing, how it may negatively impact your ability to deliver care, and what steps you can take to adapt while minimizing disruptions.
Key Changes in Telehealth Regulations for 2025
- Reinstatement of Pre-Pandemic Restrictions
Many of the telehealth flexibilities introduced during the COVID-19 public health emergency are set to expire. Geographic and originating site restrictions will return, meaning that unless a Medicare patient is located in a health professional shortage area, rural census tract, or non-metropolitan area at the time of service, telehealth visits may not be reimbursed.Impact: This change forces practices to once again screen patient locations before offering telehealth, adding administrative headaches and potentially inconveniencing patients who previously benefited from expanded access. - Audio-Only Services
While some audio-only services will remain eligible for reimbursement, the rules surrounding them are tighter. Practices must navigate additional eligibility requirements, which may make it harder to offer this critical option to patients with limited technology access. - Supervision Requirements
Virtual supervision rules now require real-time audio and visual interaction, complicating workflows for practices that had adjusted to more flexible supervision policies during the pandemic.
CPT Code Changes: A Mixed Bag for Practices
The changes to CPT codes further complicate matters, with deletions and updates that require significant adjustments to billing practices:
Deleted CPT Codes
- 99441-99443 (Audio-Only E/M Services):
These codes are being removed, despite their critical role in maintaining access to care for patients in rural or underserved areas. Practices must now use alternative telehealth codes, which may not fully cover the time and effort involved.Example: A quick follow-up call with a patient to adjust medication may now fall under a more generic or less reimbursable code, increasing the risk of revenue loss. - 99452 (Interprofessional Consultations):
This code has been removed for telehealth services, further limiting practices’ ability to collaborate remotely on patient care.
New and Updated CPT Codes
- 99424-99426 (Chronic Care Management):
These codes introduce longer interaction times and higher complexity levels but require practices to adjust workflows and documentation to meet these new standards.Example: While the codes aim to reflect the complexity of managing chronic conditions, they place an additional burden on practices to track and report detailed metrics accurately. - 99490 (Streamlined Chronic Care Management):
This code may streamline billing in theory, but implementing it in practice often means additional staff training and system updates. - G2025 (Telehealth-Specific Code for RHCs and FQHCs):
This new code simplifies billing for rural health clinics and federally qualified health centers, but for other providers, it’s yet another layer of differentiation to manage.
What Does This Mean for Your Practice?
These changes are a stark reminder that telehealth is still an evolving—and often frustrating—landscape. Practices that don’t stay ahead of these updates risk not only claim denials but also a negative impact on patient care. The reinstatement of geographic restrictions could leave patients without viable options for follow-up care, while the revised CPT codes require immediate action to update workflows, systems, and staff training.
How NatRevMD Can Help
At NatRevMD, we understand how disheartening it can be to face yet another round of regulatory changes. As a physician-owned billing company, we’re not just here to process claims—we’re here to help your practice succeed, even when the odds are stacked against you. Our expertise in reliable metrics and deep involvement in operations allows us to identify gaps in your processes and implement strategies to keep your practice compliant and profitable. We know these changes are a burden, but we’re here to carry that burden with you.
Call to Action
You shouldn’t have to navigate these challenges alone. Let NatRevMD partner with your practice to ensure you’re prepared for these changes and able to maintain both compliance and profitability. Contact us today to see how we can help streamline your telehealth billing and operations, so you can focus on what truly matters—caring for your patients.
Contact us at [email protected] today if you are looking for help in the new year.
