On February 2, 2026, Congress passed, and the President signed into law H.R. 7148 – Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026. Included in the legislation is a 2-year extension of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) telehealth flexibilities for audiologists. This extension allows audiologists to practice telehealth under the Medicare program through December 31, 2027. We will continue to work with the Energy & Commerce Committee staff on a permanent solution beyond 2027.
Also included in the bill is funding for the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) program. The funding for EHDI comes from 2 federal agencies, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) both under the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). While HRSA funding levels remained at the 2025 level, CDC funding was reduced by 30%. Continued advocacy is planned to address this gap in funding and to prepare for the 2027 reauthorization of the program through Congress.
For more information, please contact Keesha Pfeiffer, Manager Health Policy & Advocacy. kpfeiffer@cochlear.com
This blog is intended to serve as a resource for clinicians to help keep up to date with current clinical literature and is intended for professionals only. Clinical literature is based on research, which may include the experimental use of new or currently available products and technologies. Therefore, literature presented on this blog may represent use of Cochlear products that does not align with the intended use or indications approved by regulatory bodies, also known as off-label use. Cochlear does not condone any off-label use of its products, and it is not Cochlear’s intent to promote off-label use by providing this blog as a resource for healthcare professionals.
