The Fight to Save Telehealth Coverage for Millions of Medicare Recipients

Backlash Grows Over the Impending Loss of Telehealth Benefits

The impending expiration of telehealth coverage for millions of Medicare recipients has ignited a wave of concern and outrage among patients, doctors, and advocates. A Change.org petition, started by Dr. Robert Hoyer, a Colorado-based oncologist, is calling on Medicare to extend telehealth coverage beyond its scheduled end date of March 31, 2025. With over 21,000 signatures at the time of writing, the petition highlights the critical role telehealth has played in ensuring access to care, particularly for rural and homebound patients. As the deadline approaches, lawmakers and healthcare experts are joining the chorus, urging Congress to act swiftly to prevent the loss of this vital service.

Why Telehealth Matters for 66 Million Americans

Telehealth services became a lifeline during the COVID-19 pandemic, offering virtual care to millions of Americans, including those enrolled in Medicare. Over 66 million people rely on Medicare for their healthcare needs, many of whom are elderly, chronically ill, or living in rural areas with limited access to in-person care. For these individuals, telehealth has been a game-changer, eliminating the need for lengthy and costly trips to medical facilities. Dr. Hoyer, who initiated the petition, emphasized that telehealth provides a crucial link to care teams for patients with cancer or chronic conditions, while also reducing financial and logistical burdens such as travel expenses, time off work, and childcare costs.

A Petition to Protect Vulnerable Patients

Dr. Robert Hoyer’s petition is a testament to the growing demand for continued telehealth coverage. He writes, “For patients living with a cancer diagnosis or chronic conditions, telehealth provides an important link to their care team. Telehealth also helps alleviate costly travel to medical appointments, time off work, and child care expenses.” The petition pleads with Medicare to extend telehealth coverage beyond April 1, 2025, to ensure that rural and homebound patients continue receiving the care they need. Hoyer also highlights the role of telehealth in reducing healthcare disparities, particularly in rural America, where access to medical facilities has declined in recent years.

Lawmakers Join the Fight to Save Telehealth

The push to extend telehealth coverage is not just a grassroots movement; lawmakers are also stepping in to address the issue. Democratic Representative Ro Khanna of California has introduced the Telehealth Coverage Act, which aims to continue telehealth services under Medicare. Khanna is vocal about the importance of preserving this benefit, especially for rural and homebound patients. “Why are we taking telehealth away from millions of seniors who are homebound or who have difficulty leaving their homes?” he asked. “It is most devastating for rural Americans.” His words underscore the disproportionate impact of losing telehealth coverage on vulnerable populations.

The History and Future of Telehealth Under Medicare

The expansion of telehealth under Medicare began during the Trump administration as a response to the pandemic, allowing virtual visits to become a covered service. This expansion continued under President Joe Biden with the passage of the American Relief Act of 2025, which broadened the scope of telehealth services and delayed in-person requirements for mental health care. However, the changes set to take effect on April 1, 2025, will significantly roll back these benefits. Under the new rules, Medicare patients will be required to visit a medical office or facility for most types of care, with exceptions for home dialysis, acute stroke care, and mental and behavioral health services.

Experts Weigh In: The Risks of Losing Telehealth Coverage

Healthcare experts are sounding the alarm about the consequences of allowing telehealth coverage to expire. Chris Fong, CEO of Smile Insurance and a Medicare specialist, explained that telehealth has been a “game-changer” for rural patients and those with mobility challenges. “It allows patients to see their doctors without long travel times, reducing barriers to timely care,” Fong said. “For many seniors managing chronic conditions, virtual visits mean faster interventions, fewer hospitalizations, and better overall health outcomes.” Fong also noted that expanding telehealth could ease the burden on in-person healthcare facilities, reducing wait times for those who need physical appointments.

Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor at the University of Tennessee, echoed these concerns. He pointed out that telehealth coverage, born out of the pandemic, has been a reliable way to reach patients in rural areas where local medical facilities have closed. “The ability to meet these patients where they are has been a game-changer, both for themselves and the medical personnel serving them,” Beene said. “Letting this coverage expire is going to be a major setback for all parties and especially difficult for patients who now may have to drive many miles and hours just to receive care because a telehealth option is no longer available.”

What’s Next for Telehealth?

Starting April 1, Medicare recipients will face a stark new reality: most telehealth services will no longer be covered, forcing patients to seek in-person care unless they qualify for one of the limited exceptions. This shift will disproportionately affect rural and homebound patients, who have come to rely on virtual visits as a lifeline. As the deadline approaches, the pressure on lawmakers to act is mounting. The outcome of this fight will determine whether millions of Americans continue to have access to convenient, equitable, and life-saving healthcare—or whether they are left behind in a system that fails to meet their needs.

In conclusion, the expiration of telehealth coverage for Medicare recipients is not just a policy issue but a deeply human one. For millions of Americans, the loss of this benefit could mean delayed care, financial hardship, and a return to the barriers that telehealth has worked so hard to dismantle. As the petition signatures grow and lawmakers take action, one thing is clear: the fight to save telehealth is far from over.