Medicare is set to roll back its expanded telemedicine coverage, and this change is happening fast—April 1st, 2025, to be exact. Given how crucial this is for patients and providers alike, I wanted to share a conversation I recently had on this topic on another podcast, It Could Happen Here.
Later in this series, we’ll dive deeper into how the Health Architect mindset leverages technology—including telemedicine—to combat burnout. But right now, we need to talk about what’s happening with Medicare and what it means for healthcare access across the country.
A Quick Recap of What’s Changing
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Medicare temporarily expanded telemedicine coverage, allowing patients to connect with their doctors from anywhere—including their homes. That flexibility has been extended several times, but on March 31, 2025—at the end of this month—it’s finally expiring.
After April 1st, Medicare will once again require patients to be physically present in an approved healthcare facility—like a hospital or clinic—to receive telemedicine services. There are a few exceptions, like home dialysis visits, acute stroke care, and certain mental health services, but for most patients—especially those in rural areas—this rollback could make it much harder to access specialists remotely.
What We Can Do
If you’re a Health Architect—someone who stays ahead of the game, adapts, and takes initiative—this is the time to lean in, not panic. Yes, changes like these can disrupt daily practice, but instead of letting uncertainty pull us toward burnout, we can gain the upper hand by educating ourselves on the issues, building trust with patients, and working with administrators to develop sustainable models of care.
We tackle these approaches in the latest episode of It Could Happen Here. I joined host James Stout and Dr. Kaveh Hoda, a practicing gastroenterologist and host of the podcast The House of Pod, to break down what this policy change really means and, most important, what we can do about it.
Where to Listen
I highly encourage you to check it out. The episode is called "The USA’s Impending Telemedicine Cliff," and it’s available now on Spotify—you’ll find the link in my post. If you prefer another podcast player, just search for It Could Happen Here and look for the episode dated March 5, 2025.
Give it a listen, stay informed, and we’ll talk more soon.
Take-home point: As Health Architects, the goal is not just to react to or be put off by inevitable policy changes but to proactively educate ourselves, advocate for smarter policies, build innovative care pathways, and ensure equitable access to healthcare services. The rollback of pandemic-era telemedicine flexibilities is yet another reminder that healthcare transformation is an active, dynamic process requiring creativity, adaptability, and leadership—skills that the Health Architect brings to the table to maintain poise and a sense of control.
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