2025 marked a turning point for virtual care policy, with developments that will influence strategic decisions well into 2026. Congress permanently reinstated the telehealth safe harbor for Health Savings Account-eligible High-Deductible Health Plans, while Medicare telehealth flexibilities and Acute Hospital Care at Home waivers faced temporary lapses during the government shutdown before being extended through January 2026. Meanwhile, the US Drug Enforcement Administration is preparing yet another temporary extension for telemedicine prescribing of controlled substances, leaving long-term policy questions unresolved.
This comprehensive year-in-review examines the legislative and regulatory actions shaping virtual care, their implications for access and reimbursement, and what stakeholders should anticipate in the months ahead.
