5 Urgent Strategies to Save on Telehealth Before 2025 Medicare Changes
By Susan McGroddy, Healthcare Policy Analyst
Telehealth has been a lifeline for millions since 2020, but critical Medicare waivers enabling affordable virtual care will expire on September 30, 2025 [1]. As a healthcare policy analyst, I've seen how policy shifts can turn cost-saving tools into financial burdens overnight. Let's explore actionable strategies to protect your access to affordable care.
Why Should You Act Now Before 2025?
Three urgent factors demand attention:
- Disproportionate impact on disabled patients: Telehealth use among Medicare patients with disabilities dropped from 60% to 25% (2020-2023) [2]
- Rural access challenges: 28% of rural areas lack broadband for video visits [3]
- New cost barriers: Audio-only visits face 10% reimbursement cuts starting January 2025 [4]
"Policy changes become personal crises when we're unprepared," I tell my patients. Here's how to stay ahead.
Strategy 1: Secure Grandfathered Medicare Benefits
Key expiring provisions:
- Remote patient monitoring (RPM) for chronic conditions
- Cross-state provider consultations
- Audio-only mental health coverage
Action Steps:
✅ Ask about legacy plans: Major health systems like Mayo Clinic offer fixed-rate telehealth bundles
✅ Document medical needs: Ensure providers use proper ICD-11 codes for chronic conditions [5]
✅ Compare costs: Use Medicare's official telehealth cost calculator [6]
Success Story: Martha, 68, saved $2,300 using a grandfathered RPM program for diabetes management [5].
Strategy 2: Combine Virtual and In-Person Care
Maximize savings through hybrid care:
| Approach | Potential Savings |
|---|---|
| Virtual triage + in-person labs | 18% lower diagnostic costs [7] |
| E-consults before specialists | $120 average savings on tests [5] |
| Post-op video check-ins | 30% fewer readmissions [8] |
Important: Check state-specific rules. Oregon now requires social determinants of health (SDOH) documentation for mental health telehealth [9].
Strategy 3: Access Underused Funding Programs
Available financial support:
- Rural Health Grants: $1M/year for cardiac/stroke telehealth equipment (AHRQ) [10]
- Broadband Assistance: $30/month internet subsidies through Healthcare.gov [11]
- Community Health Centers: Federally Qualified Health Centers offer low-cost telehealth [12]
Strategy 4: Navigate Audio-Only Visit Changes
Prepare for potential costs:
- $25-$50/visit out-of-pocket fees
- Restricted phone visit availability
Solutions:
- Use ADA-compliant platforms (27% currently meet standards) [13]
- Explore telehealth kiosks (50% travel cost reduction in pilot programs) [10]
- Report accessibility issues to HHS Office for Civil Rights [14]
Strategy 5: Build Your Telehealth Safety Net
-
Emergency Fund:
- Target $500 (covers 5+ video visits)
- Use HSA/FSA funds tax-free
-
Insurance Review:
- 44% of 2025 Medicare Advantage plans exclude RPM [1]
- Compare plans annually using Medicare.gov
-
Advocacy:
- Join AARP's Telehealth Access Task Force
- File ADA complaints for inaccessible platforms [14]
Balancing Cost and Quality
| Risk | Prevention |
|---|---|
| Antibiotic overprescription | Request hybrid follow-ups |
| Delayed diagnoses | Insist on in-person imaging when needed |
| Interpretation costs | Use certified translation services [14] |
Stay Protected With Official Resources
- Medicare Policy Alerts: Sign up at Medicare.gov [6]
- Grant Assistance: Search AHRQ's telehealth funding database [10]
- Complaint Process: File ADA issues through HHS.gov [14]
Your Next Steps
Don't wait until 2025 to:
- Lock in current telehealth benefits
- Apply for cost-saving programs
- Review insurance coverage
As I teach my healthcare students: "Prepared patients protect both their health and wallet." Start your telehealth action plan today.
References
[1] Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2023). Medicare Telehealth Policies Post-Pandemic. CMS.gov. https://www.cms.gov/telehealth
[2] Kaiser Family Foundation. (2023). Telehealth Use Among Medicare Beneficiaries with Disabilities. KFF.org. https://www.kff.org/medicare
[3] Census Bureau. (2023). Rural Broadband Access Report. Census.gov. https://www.census.gov/library/publications
[4] Medicare.gov. (2024). 2025 Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule. Medicare.gov. https://www.medicare.gov/coverage
[5] Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. (2024). Remote Patient Monitoring Best Practices. AHRQ.gov. https://www.ahrq.gov/rpm
[6] Medicare.gov. (2024). Official Medicare Telehealth Cost Calculator. Medicare.gov/tools
[7] JAMA Network. (2023). Diagnostic Accuracy in Hybrid Care Models. JAMAInternalMedicine.com. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama
[8] Health Affairs. (2024). Post-Operative Telehealth Outcomes. HealthAffairs.org. https://www.healthaffairs.org
[9] Oregon Health Authority. (2024). Telehealth Documentation Requirements. Oregon.gov/oha
[10] Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. (2024). Telehealth Funding Opportunities. AHRQ.gov/funding
[11] HealthCare.gov. (2024). Internet Assistance Programs. HealthCare.gov/broadband
[12] Health Resources & Services Administration. (2024). FQHC Telehealth Services. HHS.gov/hrsa
[13] HHS Office of Civil Rights. (2024). Telehealth Accessibility Report. HHS.gov/ocr
[14] HHS.gov. (2024). Filing ADA Complaints. HHS.gov/civil-rights
