Safeguarding Telehealth Access: What the Bipartisan Telehealth Expansion Act of 2025 Means for Patients and Providers

Senator Steve Daines has introduced the "Telehealth Expansion Act of 2025," aiming to permanently allow High Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs) to cover telehealth services without requiring patients to meet their deductibles first. This change would amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, specifically modifying Section 223(c)(2) to ensure that HDHPs can offer first-dollar coverage for telehealth and remote care services without losing their status. The bill is set to take effect for plan years beginning after December 31, 2024.

This legislative move seeks to build upon temporary measures enacted during the COVID-19 pandemic, which allowed HDHPs to provide telehealth services without cost-sharing. By making this provision permanent, the bill aims to enhance access to remote healthcare services, offering patients more flexibility and potentially reducing overall healthcare costs.

The integration of telehealth services into standard healthcare offerings has been widely regarded as a positive development, especially in increasing access to care for individuals in rural or underserved areas. The "Telehealth Expansion Act of 2025" represents a significant step toward solidifying telehealth's role in the healthcare system, ensuring that patients with HDHPs can continue to benefit from remote care without financial barriers.