{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"KZA Alerts","title":"KZA Alert: Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026 & Extended Telehealth Flexibilities","html":"<iframe width=\"100%\" height=\"180\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless src=\"https://share.transistor.fm/e/c51bd28f\"></iframe>","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":297,"description":"Congress has passed, and the President has signed, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026 (H.R. 7148), delivering a major win for Medicare telehealth. The legislation extends pandemic-era Medicare telehealth flexibilities through December 31, 2027, providing much-needed stability for practices and patients alike.\nIn this KZA Alert, we break down what the extension includes:\nContinued access to home-based Medicare telehealth services\nOngoing coverage for audio-only telehealth visits\nRemoval of geographic and originating site restrictions\nContinued authorization for RHCs and FQHCs to serve as distant-site telehealth providers\nExtended flexibility for behavioral health and hospice recertification via telehealth\nAn extension of the Acute Hospital Care at Home program through 2030\nUpcoming new CMS telehealth billing modifiers expected in 2027\nThis fast, focused update is designed to help practice leaders, coders, billers, and compliance teams understand what’s changed, how long these policies will remain in effect, and what to watch next as Medicare telehealth policy continues to evolve.","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/f_x4Xv7xd0bv0eBfjo_MLP5muodkhWG7KR8CVlipsUg/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS81OWM3/ZmQ5YjJkYWVmZjg0/ZWIzNTMyMTUzNTAy/YmQ1MS5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}