For the past few years, telehealth has been a lifeline for millions of Americans. From mental health visits to medication check-ins, virtual care allowed families to access healthcare safely and conveniently, especially for older adults who struggle with transportation or mobility issues.
However, starting October 1, 2025, many of these Medicare telehealth flexibilities will expire unless Congress acts to extend them.
What’s Changing
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Medicare loosened long-standing restrictions on telehealth. Patients could receive care:
- From their own home, instead of a clinic or hospital
- In any location, not just in rural or designated health areas
- By phone only (audio-only), when video wasn’t available
Those flexibilities are scheduled to expire September 30, 2025, meaning:
- Geographic & site restrictions return, limiting telehealth to rural areas and medical offices
- Home-based telehealth visits may no longer be covered for many services
- Audio-only visits could be eliminated for most care types, except mental health
Behavioral and mental health services will keep some permanent flexibility, but for most other services, Medicare’s coverage will narrow considerably.
What That Means for Families
If you’ve come to rely on telehealth for check-ins, medication management, or wellness monitoring, this shift could be frustrating and disruptive.
Fewer covered options may mean:
- More in-person doctor visits for issues once handled remotely
- Longer wait times for appointments
- Cost shifts for families who need private-pay alternatives
For aging adults and loved ones who live alone, that gap in access can become a safety risk, especially when chronic conditions, medication reminders, or cognitive decline are involved.
There’s a Better Way: Cognitive Companion & Electronic Caregiver
That’s where Granny NANNIES’ Cognitive Companion program and our partnership with Electronic Caregiver step in. We’ve created a 24/7 virtual care ecosystem designed to fill the gaps that traditional healthcare leaves behind.
Our clients gain access to:
Cognitive Companion: A personalized, interactive system offering social engagement, wellness check-ins from an RN, and companionship for seniors or those with early cognitive changes.
Electronic Caregiver Addison Care System: A first-of-its-kind AI-driven virtual health assistant providing:
- 24/7 emergency response
- PocketMD virtual doctor access on demand
- Biweekly nurse wellness check-ins
- Vitals, tasks, and medication management
- Health trend monitoring and fall detection
- Family and caregiver mobile app access for total peace of mind
Together, these services create a continuous circle of care not limited by government regulations, time zones, or office hours.
Your Family’s Safety Net, Independent of Medicare
While Medicare may be scaling back its virtual care options, you don’t have to scale back your loved one’s support.
Our mission has always been to bridge care, comfort, and connection because healthcare shouldn’t end when a policy changes.
If you’re looking for consistent, personalized, tech-supported care that keeps your loved one safe, connected, and supported around the clock, we can help.
Explore how Granny NANNIES’ Cognitive Companion Program or Electronic Caregiver can provide reliable virtual support for your loved one today and for years to come.
Call us at 305-591-1818 or click here to schedule a complimentary virtual care consultation.