The telehealth finish line for therapy professionals has been pushed….. AGAIN!
What was set to expire on September 30th, 2025 will now be January 30, 2026..
The H.R. 5371, “Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026” was signed into law on 11/12/25. The intention of the Act was to fund the government (end the shutdown), and included language that extended the telehealth flexibilities another 4 months.
The Section that applies specifically to therapy professionals is highlighted below, entitled “Expanding Practitioners Eligible to Furnish Telehealth Services.“
The Section above continues to override the Social Security Act original list of approved telehealth practitioners outlined below. The PHE and every telehealth extension since that time, added therapy professionals to the original list below…. on a temporary basis.
The Social Security Act, Section 1834(m)(4)(E) was originally amended for the PHE as noted below to add therapy professionals to the above list of practitioners. Each telehealth extension since the start of the PHE (5+ years ago) has referenced this “temporary” definition of Practitioner below.
Check out HR 5371 for yourself. HR 5371
For the telehealth history timeline for therapists, this is a good read.
SNF therapy professionals can Telehealth on……. with a new finish line of January 30th!
As always, if you have any questions about the information or how it will impact you, send them to us here: Just Ask Q&A
In Your Corner,
Dolores Montero, PT, DPT, RAC-CT, RAC-CTA
SNF Therapy & MDS Compliance Team
MonteroTherapyServices.com