ABHW Welcomes Extension of Medicare Telehealth Flexibilities and Urges Congress for Permanent Solutions

Washington, D.C. – February 4, 2026 – The Association for Behavioral Health and Wellness (ABHW) appreciates Congress’ recent extension of Medicare telehealth flexibilities through December 31, 2027, and strongly urges these flexibilities be made permanent, including repealing the in-person requirement, to ensure uninterrupted access to behavioral health services for Medicare beneficiaries.

The temporary extension allows Medicare beneficiaries to continue accessing essential services via telehealth, particularly benefiting those with complex behavioral health needs, mobility challenges, or residing in underserved areas. We appreciate the longer nature of the extension and encourage Congress to address this issue on a permanent basis to avoid future interruptions in coverage and ensure certainty to behavioral health care delivery modalities.

Data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) indicate that telehealth accounts for approximately 44% of all behavioral health visits among traditional Medicare beneficiaries, totaling roughly 4.3-4.5 million individuals nationwide. This consistent usage underscores telehealth’s integral role in modern behavioral health care delivery.

“ABHW appreciates Congress’ repeated extensions of these flexibilities for Medicare beneficiaries and its delays of the in-person requirement for behavioral health services,” said ABHW President and CEO Debbie Witchey. “However, Medicare telehealth extensions only prolong long-term uncertainty and create long-term barriers. Temporary fixes are no longer enough. We urge Congress to make these flexibilities permanent, including repealing the six-month in-person requirement.”

Making telehealth flexibilities permanent would enable more individuals to initiate or maintain care without interruption, reducing stigma and fear associated with seeking behavioral health treatment. ABHW remains committed to improving outcomes in behavioral health and emphasizes that making telehealth flexibilities permanent for Medicare beneficiaries is essential to achieving this goal.