On December 21, Congress passed, and the President signed, a law that provides a short-term extension of authority for audiologists and SLPs to bill telehealth services under Medicare Part B through March 31, 2025.
Without further congressional action by the end of March, Medicare beneficiaries will no longer be covered for audiology and SLP telehealth services. It’s critical that Congress act to ensure patients maintain access to the same level of telehealth services they have had since 2020.&nbsp;

Medicare coverage for audiology and speech-language pathology services delivered via telehealth should remain protected.

Telehealth has become a lifeline for Medicare patients—and it must be made permanent for audiologists and speech-language pathologists (SLPs).

On February 3, 2026, Congress extended the ability of audiologists and SLPs to provide telehealth services under Medicare Part B through December 31, 2027. While this temporary extension helps, it leaves patients and providers in a constant state of uncertainty. Medicare beneficiaries deserve stability and continued access to care without an expiration date.

SLPs and audiologists see every day how telehealth improves access and outcomes. Research and clinical experience show that telehealth allows patients to receive high-quality care for hearing, balance, speech, language, swallowing, and cognitive disorders—often when in-person services are not feasible.

For patients in rural and medically underserved communities, and for those with mobility limitations or transportation challenges, telehealth is not a convenience—it is essential care. CMS has recognized this value by extending coverage, but only Congress can make telehealth access permanent.

We urge Congress to act now to explicitly authorize audiologists and SLPs as permanent Medicare telehealth providers under Part B and ensure patients can continue receiving the care they need, wherever they live.

Teletherapy Coverage

Pennsylvania Speech-Language-Hearing Association

The ability of audiologists and speech-language pathologists (SLPs) to provide telehealth services to Medicare beneficiaries must be made permanent.

On February 3, 2026, Congress passed—and the President signed—legislation extending the authority for audiologists and SLPs to bill Medicare Part B for telehealth services through December 31, 2027. While this extension is an important step, it does not provide the long-term certainty patients and providers need. Congress must now act to permanently authorize audiologists and SLPs as Medicare telehealth providers under Part B.

Audiologists and SLPs know, and a growing body of research confirms, the value telehealth brings to patient care. CMS has appropriately extended coverage for these services, but only Congress can ensure lasting access by explicitly authorizing audiologists and SLPs to provide covered telehealth services on a permanent basis.

Permanent authorization would ensure Medicare beneficiaries can continue to receive essential hearing, balance, speech, language, swallowing, and cognitive services regardless of geography. This is especially critical for individuals in rural and medically underserved areas, as well as patients who face mobility or transportation barriers that limit access to in-person care.

Congressional action is needed now to protect patient access and provide stability for the providers who serve them.

Thank you for your leadership and consideration.

Make Medicare Telehealth for Audiologists and SLPs Permanent

Telehealth Works — Let’s Make It Permanent for Medicare Patients

Congress recently extended Medicare telehealth coverage for audiologists and speech-language pathologists (SLPs) through December 31, 2027—but temporary fixes are not enough.

On February 3, 2026, lawmakers took an important step by extending telehealth billing authority under Medicare Part B. Now, Congress must finish the job by permanently authorizing audiologists and SLPs as Medicare telehealth providers.

Telehealth works. Audiologists and SLPs know it, patients rely on it, and research confirms it. These services allow Medicare beneficiaries to receive critical care for hearing, balance, speech, language, swallowing, and cognitive conditions—often overcoming barriers like distance, mobility limitations, and provider shortages.

Patients in rural and medically underserved areas are especially dependent on telehealth to access timely, effective care. Without permanent authorization, both patients and providers remain at risk of losing these essential services.

Congress must act now to provide certainty, protect access, and ensure telehealth remains a permanent part of Medicare care for audiologists and SLPs.

The need is clear. The solution is simple. Make telehealth permanent.