During the pandemic, Medicare expanded telehealth access to make it easier for everyone — especially kūpuna — to receive healthcare safely from home. However, starting in October 2025, many of those expanded telehealth benefits will revert to their pre-2019 rules.
At Hawaii SHIP, we want to help you understand these changes so you can plan your care with confidence.
Beginning October 2025:
If you live in a rural area:
You must visit a medical facility (like a clinic, hospital, or health center) to access most Medicare-covered telehealth services.
If you live outside a rural area:
Medicare will only cover telehealth services for specific conditions, such as:
End-Stage Renal Disease Home Dialysis
Diagnosis or Treatment of a Stroke
Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health Treatment
Behavioral and Mental Health Services
Diabetes Self-Management Training
Medical Nutrition Therapy
Important: These changes apply to beneficiaries with Original Medicare.
If you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan, check with your plan provider — they may continue offering broader telehealth benefits!
Access to healthcare is crucial for maintaining your health, especially for kūpuna managing chronic conditions. These upcoming changes mean:
You may need to plan transportation to a local medical facility for telehealth services if you live in a rural area.
Your ability to use telehealth at home may be limited to specific health needs if you live in a city or suburban area.
Reviewing your Medicare options for 2025 could help you find the best plan for your healthcare needs.
Understanding Medicare changes can be confusing, but you’re not alone.
Hawaii SHIP offers free, one-on-one Medicare counseling to help you:
Understand your telehealth options
Review Medicare Advantage plans that may offer better telehealth coverage
Get answers about Medicare benefits and coverage changes
📞 Call us at 808-586-7299 or TTY 1-866-810-4379
🌐 Visit hawaiiship.org
Stay informed. Stay prepared. Let’s navigate Medicare together for a healthier Hawaii!
