KZA Alert: Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026 & Extended Telehealth Flexibilities

Congress has passed, and the President has signed, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026 (H.R. 7148), delivering a major win for Medicare telehealth. The legislation extends pandemic-era Medicare telehealth flexibilities through December 31, 2027, providing much-needed stability for practices and patients alike.In this KZA Alert, we break down what the extension includes:Continued access to home-based Medicare telehealth servicesOngoing coverage for audio-only telehealth visitsRemoval of geographic and originating site restrictionsContinued authorization for RHCs and FQHCs to serve as distant-site telehealth providersExtended flexibility for behavioral health and hospice recertification via telehealthAn extension of the Acute Hospital Care at Home program through 2030Upcoming new CMS telehealth billing modifiers expected in 2027This fast, focused update is designed to help practice leaders, coders, billers, and compliance teams understand what’s changed, how long these policies will remain in effect, and what to watch next as Medicare telehealth policy continues to evolve.