House Bill Extends Telehealth Waiver Two Years and Hospital‑at‑Home Five Years

House Bill proposes a two‑year extension for telehealth waivers and a five‑year extension for hospital‑at‑home waivers, embedded within the 2026 federal spending legislation, signaling continued congressional support for remote health services and home‑based acute care.

Telehealth coverage under the extended waiver will stay available to Medicare beneficiaries, permitting ongoing virtual consultations, prescription renewals, and chronic disease monitoring without the need for in‑person visits, thereby preserving access for patients across the country.

Hospital‑at‑Home programs will keep reimbursement flexibility for five years, allowing hospitals to deliver acute care services at patients’ residences while meeting safety and quality standards, a model that can reduce facility congestion and lower overall costs.

Implications include sustained access for rural and underserved communities, potential savings for Medicare and private insurers, and a clear legislative message that remote and home‑based care remain integral components of the U.S. health system despite earlier temporary measures.