Congress Still Needs to Address Medicare Payment Cuts and Telehealth Extension

January 29, 2025

Despite a temporary extension to telehealth coverage for nonphysician providers and minor Medicare Part B payment cut mitigations, audiologists and speech-language pathologists (SLPs) have faced a roughly 2.8% payment cut since January 1, 2025. And they face an unknown future with telehealth.

The Top Line:

  • Advocacy work is underway to secure reintroduction of bills that would add audiologists and SLPs as permanent Medicare telehealth providers and further reduce Medicare payment cuts.
  • The earliest we would likely see action on these issues is March 14, 2025, which is the deadline for Congress to pass the next federal funding bill.

This legislative update is important—though somewhat unsatisfying, despite extensive advocacy by ASHA, its members, and many other stakeholders. In the weeks leading up to the law’s passage, many key Medicare priorities seemed to be included in a bill to fund the federal government. Initial versions of the bill would have extended Medicare telehealth authority for two years and reduced Medicare payment cuts by as much as 2.5%. Unfortunately, lawmakers reworked the bill to secure enough votes to pass it. The current bill extends Medicare telehealth coverage for nonphysicians only through March 31, 2025, and funding for the federal government through March 14, 2025.

ASHA understands audiologists and SLPs are concerned about telehealth coverage and the impact of payment reductions on their financial viability. Here’s what to expect.

When Will Congress Act?

The 119th Congress, which consists of more than 70 new members of the House and Senate, was just sworn in on January 3.

The first few weeks of each new Congress are consumed with administrative and organizational activities that set the stage for the next two years, especially during the first year of a new presidential administration. This means that committees will first focus on onboarding new members and determining their respective agendas for the year, while Senate committees will prioritize confirming President Trump’s executive nominees.

It also means that bills not enacted during the last Congress—like the Expanded Telehealth Access Act that would make audiologists and SLPs permanent Medicare telehealth providers—need to be reintroduced. ASHA has already begun meeting with legislators in both chambers to highlight the importance of permanent Medicare telehealth authority and higher Medicare payments. The good news is that the March 14 government funding deadline may prompt Congress to act on both issues.

What’s Next?

The most likely scenario is that Medicare policies—such as addressing the Part B cuts and extending telehealth—could be attached to the next federal funding bill, which must be passed by March 14 to avoid a government shutdown. Ensuring these priorities are addressed will take the collective work of ASHA, its members, and other professional associations, such the American Physical Therapy Association and American Occupational Therapy Association.

What Can You Do?

You can send messages to Congress explaining what you do and how it helps those you serve while ASHA works to reintroduce key bills. You can also advocate for their help mitigaing Medicare cuts and extending telehealth coverage. This will strengthen ASHA’s efforts to ensure that your priorities are addressed in the next government funding bill.

Questions?

For questions about Medicare policy and payment, contact the health care and education policy team at reimbursement@asha.org. For questions about the federal legislative process and how you can take action, contact the federal and political affairs team at federal@asha.org.


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