On January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump signed a series of executive orders with wide-reaching implications across multiple sectors, including healthcare. Among these was the directive to withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO), a move that could have significant consequences for telehealth, digital health innovation, and global health collaboration. Additionally, the regulatory freeze memorandum signed the same day may further influence telehealth policy and pending waivers.

On January 14, 2025, President Biden issued the Executive Order on Advancing U.S. Leadership in Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure, a bold move to position the United States at the forefront of global AI development. The Center for Telehealth and e-Health Law (CTeL) applauds this initiative as a forward-thinking approach to fostering innovation while ensuring necessary safeguards are in place.

This landmark executive order aims to accelerate the development of AI infrastructure by leveraging federal resources, promoting clean energy, and ensuring equitable access to AI advancements.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has issued a final rule to update and refine regulations surrounding the prescribing of controlled substances via telemedicine, with a particular focus on balancing public health needs and the prevention of substance misuse. This rule is part of an effort to clarify how the practice of telemedicine, which grew significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic, can continue to support patient access to necessary care without compromising the safety measures associated with controlled substances.

The U.S. is in the midst of a healthcare workforce crisis, with over a million registered nurses holding active licenses yet choosing not to work at the bedside. Unsafe working conditions, chronic understaffing, and the increasing reliance on untested technologies have created an unsustainable environment for providers and patients alike. On January 16, 2025, National Nurses United (NNU) is leading a National Day of Action with marches, protests, and rallies across the country to demand systemic reforms. Nurses are calling for safe staffing levels, patient protections, and robust oversight of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in healthcare. This collective effort highlights the urgency of addressing workforce shortages and the critical role of nurses in advocating for patient safety and equitable care.

With the telehealth expansion waivers authorized under the American Relief Act of 2025 set to expire on March 31, 2025, Congress faces a pivotal moment in healthcare policy. As the Republican-led 119th Congress leverages budget reconciliation to pursue spending and tax reforms, the future of telehealth hangs in the balance. The decisions made in the coming months will determine whether millions of Americans retain access to essential virtual care services.

A Republican trifecta taking power in Washington, party leaders are confident in their ability to pass major spending and tax reform in what President-elect Trump hopes will be “one big, beautiful bill.” Despite not having a filibuster-proof Senate majority, Republicans can still achieve many of their legislative goals through the process of budget reconciliation, which is shaping up to be one of the 119th Congress’ top priorities. 

As the digital transformation of healthcare continues to reshape the landscape, the Center for Telehealth and e-Health Law (CTeL) is committed to ensuring equitable, ethical, and effective implementation of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI). In response to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' (CMS) proposed policies for Contract Year 2026, we have provided detailed comments and recommendations aimed at addressing critical challenges in Medicare Advantage (MA) programs and beyond.

The telehealth industry is poised for another transformative year in 2025, with technological advancements, policy shifts, and consumer demand driving new innovations and challenges. Below, we explore the top five trends that will shape the future of virtual care and digital health.

The healthcare landscape of 2025 looks vastly different from its pre-2020 predecessor. What began as an emergency response mechanism during the pandemic has evolved into a sophisticated, integrated care delivery system. Telehealth is no longer a supplementary tool—it has become a cornerstone of healthcare delivery, driving improvements in patient outcomes, provider capabilities, and the economics of care.

Recent analysis by the National Health Institute reveals that telehealth now accounts for 23% of all healthcare encounters nationwide, with some specialties reporting virtual visit rates exceeding 50%. This shift is more than just a change in delivery methods; it represents a fundamental reimagining of healthcare accessibility, efficiency, and effectiveness.

Telehealth services have transformed healthcare access, especially for rural and underserved communities, but the path to making these benefits permanent hinges on one crucial factor: an accurate Congressional Budget Office (CBO) score. As Congress considers the Telehealth Modernization Act (TMA) to establish permanent telehealth access, ensuring accurate projections of its financial and healthcare impacts is essential for success. Here’s why scoring matters—and how organizations like CTeL, in collaboration with experts like Charm Economics, are leading the charge to provide critical research.

Telehealth Faces an Uncertain Future as HDHP Waivers Expire

The start of 2025 marks a significant shift for millions of Americans who depend on telehealth. On December 31, 2024, the waivers allowing High-Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs) to cover telehealth services pre-deductible officially expired.

These waivers, introduced through the CARES Act in 2020 and extended by the Consolidated Appropriations Acts (CAA) of 2022 and 2023, allowed HDHP participants to access virtual care without first meeting their deductibles, preserving their eligibility for Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). Now, with the policy no longer in effect, patients and providers face the financial and operational realities of this change.

After a week of intense negotiations and political back-and-forth, Congress has passed the American Relief Act, 2025, narrowly avoiding a government shutdown. This landmark legislation ensures the continuation of essential healthcare programs and includes critical provisions to sustain telehealth access for millions of Americans, albeit for 90 days.

With Congress at a standstill over passing the funding bill, the looming possibility of a government shutdown threatens to disrupt many critical services. Telehealth, a cornerstone of healthcare innovation since the COVID-19 pandemic, stands to face significant setbacks if funding stalls and policy decisions remain in limbo. Here’s a closer look at what this means for telehealth and how hospitals, providers, and organizations can prepare.

The COVID-19 pandemic revolutionized healthcare delivery, with telehealth emerging as a cornerstone of accessible, patient-centered care. Millions of Americans reaped the benefits of temporary telehealth flexibilities enacted under emergency provisions, which dismantled barriers and expanded access to care across urban, suburban, and rural communities alike. These flexibilities were especially transformative for behavioral health services, chronic disease management, and routine care—areas that historically faced significant access challenges. However, with the end of the pandemic emergency period, these measures were at risk of expiring, threatening to disrupt care for millions.

The end-of-year congressional budget bill serves as a crucial intervention, offering a two-year extension of telehealth flexibilities. While this provides immediate relief, it is not a long-term solution. The ultimate goal must remain clear: permanent telehealth legislation by 2027, ensuring that healthcare access is seamless and uninterrupted for all Americans.

To better serve our members and create more impactful, streamlined discussions, CTeL is transitioning to a new working group model starting January 2025. This updated structure will enhance the depth and focus of our conversations while freeing up valuable time on your calendar.

In an era where digital health solutions are reshaping the landscape of care, addressing inequities in telehealth access is more urgent than ever. A new publication, Centering Digital Equity to Advance Reproductive Telehealth Care Access, co-authored by RHITES and the Center for Telehealth & e-Health Law (CTeL), offers a compelling roadmap for making reproductive telehealth more inclusive and accessible.

This collaboration delves into the intersection of digital equity and reproductive healthcare, highlighting the critical barriers that many face in accessing telehealth services. Among these challenges are limited broadband connectivity, technological literacy gaps, and policy restrictions that disproportionately impact marginalized populations.

The 2024 Fall Digital Health Summit, hosted by the Center for Telehealth & e-Health Law (CTeL), gathered innovators, policymakers, and healthcare leaders in a spirited dialogue about the evolving landscape of digital health. The event offered a deep dive into some of the most pressing challenges and promising advancements in telehealth, artificial intelligence (AI), and digital therapeutics. Here’s a recap of the key themes, insights, and action items that emerged from the summit.

In the rapidly evolving landscape of healthcare technology, artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer just a buzzword—it's becoming a critical tool in clinical settings. But how do we ensure these powerful algorithms truly benefit patients? The Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy's (ASTP) 2024 Annual Meeting offered a fascinating glimpse into the cutting-edge world of AI validation.

The benefits of telehealth are undeniable, yet its future for Medicare beneficiaries hangs in the balance. With expanded Medicare coverage for telehealth set to expire on December 31, 2024, more than 100 bipartisan lawmakers, led by Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), are rallying for action. Their unified call emphasizes the urgency of including an extension of telehealth provisions in this year’s appropriations package.

The story of telehealth is fundamentally a narrative of human innovation—a testament to our ability to overcome geographical and technological barriers in delivering critical healthcare services. Its origins trace back to the Civil War, where telegraph lines first transformed medical communication from a localized to a potentially expansive endeavor. What began as a method of coordinating medical supplies and reporting battlefield casualties would gradually evolve into a sophisticated digital healthcare ecosystem.

As the December 31, 2024, expiration date for expanded Medicare telehealth coverage looms, the Center for Telehealth & e-Health Law (CTeL) is actively engaging with policymakers to ensure the preservation of vital virtual care services. In partnership with Congresswoman Doris Matsui’s office, CTeL is working to incorporate telehealth provisions into the upcoming end-of-year appropriations package. The stakes are high: without legislative action, millions of Medicare beneficiaries risk losing access to telehealth services they have come to depend on.