New Medicare Rules Start Next Month. Here's What It Means For Seniors

Medicare is an inevitable form of health care for most older Americans, and the program keeps undergoing cuts and changes. Thanks in part to slashes made to Medicare in 2025 and big changes to Medicare planned for 2026, millions are worried about the state of their healthcare. As 2026 approaches, some seniors may hope for even more changes when it comes to the provision of certain services.

Telehealth is on the chopping block for Medicare's covered services. As of now, Medicare practitioners and subscribers are able to participate in telehealth throughout most of January, 2026. After January 30, though, no more telehealth flexibilities will be covered under Medicare.

Some refer to the January date as a Congressional "extension" of Medicare's telehealth flexibilities coverage, which first flourished during the lockdown era of the COVID-19 pandemic. Others, meanwhile, may see the end of January as a looming and unpleasant cut-off date. 66 million Americans aged 65 and up rely on Medicare. On one hand, Medicare costs don't cover everything for seniors – as an example, Medicare only covers limited inpatient hospital costs. However, cutting coverage and flexibilities for telehealth services may prove costly in terms of time, money, and peace of mind for millions of Americans hoping to receive medical care in their homes. It will also impact healthcare providers.

As it currently stands, Medicare's telehealth policy (via Telehealth.hhs.gov) covers all patients seeking to receive non-behavioral/mental healthcare. All Medicare providers can provide telehealth services without any geographic restrictions for providers and the recipients of their services. Federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics can act as distant site providers for Medicare's telehealth. In-person visits within six months of an initial Medicare telehealth service, with annual follow-ups, are not required.

The extension of these telehealth flexibilities until January 30 was made with the passage and signing of the bill that ended the government shutdown in November, 2025. The shutdown, which happens to be the longest one ever in the United States, was over federal healthcare spending. Parties are still staunchly divided over this topic, so a happy union and a pleasing Medicare budget aren't to be counted on anytime soon. Telehealth flexibilities were not covered during the shutdown, but the extension will help retroactively cover telehealth charges incurred during the period prior to the extension being made. 

"Certain telehealth services have been retroactively restored through January 30th. This means individuals who paid out-of-pocket during the lapse in coverage may now be eligible for refunds," Kevin Thompson, 9i Capital Group CEO, tells Newsweek. "In these cases, practitioners must refund any overpayments to beneficiaries and resubmit claims directly to Medicare. Any claims that were previously returned during the lapse period are now eligible for payment and should be submitted during this extension window." 

As of January 31, 2026, some Medicare telehealth services will be covered, but only for certain providers and recipients. Other than behavioral health services, Medicare telehealth will require beneficiaries to be in a medical facility or in a rural area. Telehealth services from audiologists, occupational and physical therapists, and speech-language pathologists will no longer be covered. Additionally, hospitals will no longer be able to furnish diabetes self-management training, medical nutrition therapy, and other outpatient therapy services. 

In-person visits and follow-ups could end up becoming mandatory for those who still receive Medicare telehealth services, too. Rural seniors may be most impacted by shifts to those telehealth provisions in 2026, as members who did not need to make in-person visits previously may now be required to travel greater distances for care. Also, although more urban seniors may live near healthcare facilities, the family and friends that help them get to the doctor might be relied on more heavily to provide transportation. 

The ease of telehealth care may seem as common as looking at a cellphone. However, stripping financial coverage for telehealth flexibilities may complicate healthcare and create confusion over billing. Changes are also coming to Medicare Advantage plans in 2026, and passage of a proposed Medicare bill could trap retirees with limited coverage. Advocacy can help tip some scales, but all advocates should study up on coming cuts.