Medicare to Cover Phone Call Check-Ups: Audio-Only Telehealth Access Act Kicks In

The Audio-Only Telehealth Access Act of 2025 fundamentally changes how Medicare handles telehealth. Instead of requiring both video and audio, Medicare will now cover certain healthcare services delivered solely through audio communication—think regular phone calls. This change applies retroactively, kicking in from the start of the COVID-19 emergency period (defined in section 1135(g)(1)(B)). The core purpose, stated directly in the amended Section 1834(m)(9) of the Social Security Act, is to broaden access to care, especially for folks who might not have reliable internet.

Plugging into Phone-Based Healthcare

The biggest shift is that certain telehealth services, specifically those listed in paragraph (4)(F)(i), can now be done over the phone and still get reimbursed by Medicare. Imagine a senior citizen in a rural area with spotty internet, who can now have a follow-up appointment with their doctor about their blood pressure medication just by picking up the phone. Or, picture a busy parent who needs a quick consult about their child's rash but can't get away from work for a video call. This bill makes those scenarios reimbursable under Medicare.

Where It Works, Where It Might Not

This expanded access could be a game-changer for people in areas with limited broadband or for those who aren't comfortable with video calls. It provides more flexibility. On the flip side, there are real-world challenges. Think about a doctor trying to diagnose a skin condition over the phone—it's just not the same as seeing it. This raises the question of whether audio-only is always enough for quality care. Section 2 of the bill amends the Social Security Act to include this, but it doesn't outline specific quality control measures for audio-only appointments.

There's also the issue of cost. While phone-based appointments might seem cheaper, the bill doesn't address how Medicare will prevent unnecessary audio-only visits, which could drive up overall spending. And, of course, there's the potential for fraud—how do you verify it's really the patient on the other end of the line, and that the service was actually needed? These are practical concerns that the bill's text doesn't fully address.

Connecting the Dots

This Act directly amends existing telehealth provisions within the Social Security Act. It builds on previous expansions of telehealth during the pandemic, but it makes a specific, and potentially permanent, change by allowing audio-only options. The long-term implications are worth watching. Will this lead to better health outcomes for those in underserved communities, or will it create new challenges in terms of cost and quality control? The answers will depend on how this change is managed in the real world.