Home Health Face-to-Face Encounter and Telehealth Technology Extended Through December 31, 2027

Section 6209: Extension of Certain Telehealth Flexibilities in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 extends the use of telecommunications technology for certifying a patient’s eligibility for the home health benefit. The certifying physician or an allowed non-physician practitioner (NPP) must document that he or she has had a face-to-face encounter with the patient.

This extension is applicable through December 31, 2027. It temporarily removes geographic requirements and expands originating sites for telehealth services during the extension. The telehealth face-to-face encounter must be two-way audio-video telecommunications technology that allows for real-time interaction between the certifying physician/allowed NPP and the patient. An encounter by audio or video only is not acceptable.