Medicare Telehealth Flexibilities 2027 Therapists: Easy Tips
Here is the short answer on Medicare telehealth flexibilities 2027 therapists keep asking about: according to the CMS Telehealth FAQ, many Medicare telehealth flexibilities run through December 31, 2027. For mental health, that means you can keep seeing Medicare patients by video in their homes through that date. This post covers Medicare only and explains what to do on the billing side.
What changed in the Medicare telehealth flexibilities 2027 therapists rely on
A Medicare telehealth flexibility is a temporary relaxation of the usual rule that limits where a patient can be during a telehealth visit. The CMS Medicare telehealth page links to a FAQ that CMS updated on October 8, 2026. It says beneficiaries can receive telehealth anywhere in the United States and territories through 2027. Starting January 1, 2028, non-behavioral telehealth generally requires the patient to be in a medical facility in a rural area.
Behavioral health is a special case. The FAQ says audio-only telehealth continues after 2027 for behavioral health, and mental health telehealth at home stays available with an in-person visit requirement that begins after December 31, 2027.
When it takes effect: the dates that matter
- Through December 31, 2027: telehealth anywhere in the U.S. and audio-only visits for patients at home.
- January 1, 2027: modifiers BB and BC are required. CMS says they have no payment effect.
- After December 31, 2027: an in-person visit is required within 6 months before the first mental health telehealth service, and established patients need an in-person visit every 12 months.
- January 1, 2028: the general rural-facility rule returns for non-behavioral telehealth. Audio-only is limited to behavioral health.
These dates come from one CMS document. Congress can change them, so check the FAQ again before you plan 2028 staffing or scheduling.
Who it affects: therapists and psychiatrists
The Medicare telehealth flexibilities 2027 therapists use apply to practitioners who bill Medicare for telehealth. The FAQ says an extended range of practitioners may bill for Medicare telehealth through 2027. Confirm your credential type on the CMS list of telehealth practitioners, or ask your Medicare Administrative Contractor (the regional company that processes Medicare claims for CMS).
Prescribers face the same location and audio-only rules. Psychiatrists billing an Evaluation and Management visit with psychotherapy add-on codes should read our guide to psychiatry billing services for the claim mechanics. Telehealth does not change the code choice, only the modifier and Place of Service details.
Practical impact of the Medicare telehealth flexibilities 2027 therapists face
Place of service and modifiers
The FAQ says POS 10 is for telehealth to a patient’s private residence. Since January 1, 2024, those claims are paid at the non-facility rate. POS 02 covers telehealth to a patient somewhere other than home. If a denial points at the place of service, see our guide to appealing a denial caused by Place of Service 02 errors and our overview of in-home telehealth POS codes.
Beginning January 1, 2027, add a Modifier when it applies. BB is for telehealth furnished through a virtual platform by a practitioner who contracts with, or has a payment arrangement with, the platform owner. BC is for telehealth furnished incident to a physician or practitioner service. Most solo therapists using their own EHR video tool will not need either, but check with your MAC.
In-person visit requirement for mental health telehealth
The FAQ says federal law requires an in-person, non-telehealth visit within 6 months before the first mental health telehealth service, effective after December 31, 2027. Patients who start home-based mental health telehealth on or before December 31, 2027 are treated as established patients and need an in-person visit every 12 months after that date. Ask your MAC which in-person visits count and who must furnish them.
Rural health clinics and federally qualified health centers have their own timing. Check the FAQ for their dates.
Audio-only visits
Audio-only means a two-way, real-time call without video. The FAQ allows it for patients at home through December 31, 2027. After that, audio-only is limited to behavioral health and can be used when the provider can do video but the patient cannot or does not consent to it. The FAQ says it can be used for both new and established patients. Ask your MAC how it wants this documented before 2028.
What to do next
Use this checklist to prepare for the end of the Medicare telehealth flexibilities 2027 therapists have now.
- Write down the December 31, 2027 date and the January 1, 2028 changes on your billing calendar.
- Start tracking the date of each Medicare patient’s last in-person visit in your EHR.
- Confirm POS 10 and the right modifier on a test claim before January 1, 2027, using a Clearinghouse that shows rejections quickly.
- Document why a visit was audio-only. Our guide to medical necessity documentation shows what to include.
- Read our post on the 2027 Medicare fee schedule proposal for psychotherapy so rates and telehealth rules are on one page.
Questions to verify with the payer
Private insurers and state Medicaid programs set their own telehealth rules. This Medicare timeline does not carry over to them. Our posts on telehealth billing rules by payer and telehealth originating site rules cover those differences.
- Does my MAC want BB or BC on my telehealth claims?
- Which in-person visit counts for the 12-month requirement, and who must furnish it?
- Does my credential type appear on the list of Medicare telehealth practitioners?
- How does the MAC want audio-only documented?
- Does this commercial plan follow Medicare, or set its own telehealth rules?
How MCM South helps with Medicare telehealth billing
MCM South bills for psychotherapists and psychiatrists. We help with the billing side of telehealth, such as place of service, modifiers and claim follow-up, so your claims match the payer rules. See our page on telehealth billing for therapists.
Where MCM South works
MCM South works with psychotherapists and psychiatrists in ten currently served states: Georgia, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Texas, Florida, New York, Colorado, Tennessee, North Carolina and Illinois. See insurance company contacts by state, who we serve and the state billing guides. This post is operational guidance for billing, not legal advice.
The short version: medicare telehealth flexibilities 2027 therapists
The Medicare telehealth flexibilities 2027 therapists use run through December 31, 2027, per the CMS Telehealth FAQ. Behavioral health keeps home telehealth after that date, but in-person visit rules and new modifiers BB and BC arrive. Plan your calendar and ask your MAC about anything unclear. More guides are in Resources. Put the Medicare telehealth flexibilities 2027 therapists depend on onto your billing calendar, and recheck the CMS FAQ each quarter for changes to the Medicare telehealth flexibilities 2027 therapists use.
Sources checked (October 29, 2026)
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Related reading
Frequently asked questions
How long do Medicare telehealth flexibilities last?
The CMS Telehealth FAQ says many flexibilities run through December 31, 2027, with changes starting January 1, 2028. Behavioral health keeps audio-only telehealth after that date.
Does Medicare telehealth through 2027 cover behavioral health at home?
Yes. CMS says beneficiaries can receive telehealth at home through 2027, and audio-only is allowed for patients at home through December 31, 2027.
Is there an in-person visit requirement for Medicare telehealth behavioral health?
Yes, after December 31, 2027. The FAQ describes an in-person visit within 6 months before the first mental health telehealth service, and an in-person visit every 12 months for established patients.
What does the CMS Telehealth FAQ say about modifiers?
It says modifiers BB and BC are required starting January 1, 2027 and have no payment effect. It also describes POS 10 for patients at home.
Do private payers follow the Medicare telehealth rules?
Not automatically. Private insurers and Medicaid programs set their own rules, so verify each plan.
