Changes to telemedicine coverage for Medicare patients

Effective October 1, 2025, the telemedicine flexibilities for patients of Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, and TRICARE programs have expired. For patients insured by these plans, this impacts any upcoming virtual visits with your healthcare provider. 

The Acute Pulmonary Unit is a 24-bed specialty inpatient unit at Inova Fairfax Hospital that provides specialized nursing care for adult patients with complications of chronic respiratory disease. This includes, but is not limited to:

  • Asthma
  • Bronchitis
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
  • Interstitial lung disease
  • Lung cancer
  • Pneumonia
  • Pre-transplant evaluation for lung transplant
  • Pulmonary fibrosis
  • Pulmonary emphysema
  • Other diseases affecting the lungs

This type of specialized respiratory unit is a rarity in American medicine. Our treatment focuses on aggressive medical management by a multidisciplinary team, to move patients through the continuum of care to discharge. When acute inpatient care is no longer required, the APU discharges patients to the community – whether home, acute, or skilled nursing. Prior to discharge, patients receive comprehensive education regarding their illness to promote wellness, facilitate a smooth transition to outpatient care and improve the patient’s overall quality of life. Our team includes pulmonary and internal medicine physicians and a multidisciplinary team of nurses, respiratory therapists and case managers.