The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued new guidance allowing Medicare Advantage plans to maintain coverage of certain telehealth services that technically expired when federal telehealth authorities lapsed on October 1, 2025.

Under the announcement, CMS will temporarily waive the prohibition on mid-year benefit changes to permit plans to continue offering these telehealth benefits as “additional telehealth benefits” through December 31, 2025, or until Congress extends the original Medicare telehealth waivers, whichever occurs first.

CMS said the decision is intended to support continuity of care and avoid confusion among beneficiaries following the shutdown-related lapse in telehealth coverage. Medicare Advantage plans may continue furnishing telehealth benefits under the same terms as those in place prior to October 1, provided they are offered uniformly to similarly situated enrollees and through contracted providers.

This temporary enforcement discretion applies only to Medicare Advantage plans and does not alter telehealth payment rules for traditional Medicare, where most non-behavioral telehealth services remain uncovered pending congressional action.

The California Medical Association (CMA) continues to urge Congress to adopt a permanent solution for telehealth and will monitor these federal developments and provide updates as CMS issues further guidance on telehealth coverage in both traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage.