How New Telehealth Legislation Can Transform Workplace Clinics

The Policy Update: Telehealth Gets a Permanent Boost

On July 4, 2025, Congress passed a sweeping tax package that included a major healthcare win: permanent first-dollar coverage for telehealth under HDHP-HSA plans. This means employers can now offer telehealth services before the deductible is met without jeopardizing employee eligibility to contribute to their HSA.

No more waiting for temporary extensions. No more compliance uncertainty.

This legislation affects millions of Americans enrolled in HDHPS and unlocked a new level of flexibility for employers designing benefits that meet employees where they are.

Why It Matters

In 2023, over half of private industry workers with medical care benefits were enrolled in HDHPs. These plans remain attractive for their lower premiums and emphasis on healthcare consumerism. But they’ve come with a tradeoff: employees often delay care because they must pay out-of-pocket until their deductible is met, even for basic services like primary care or chronic condition management.

That barrier is now gone for telehealth.

What This Means for Workplace Clinics

Historically, onsite and near-site clinics were seen as high-value perks, but they’ve been incompatible with HDHP-HSA plans and too expensive for most midsize employers to implement.

In fact, only 16% of firms with 50+ employees offer them.

Radish Health changes that.

1. Our model combines a low-cost onsite nurse presence with virtual physician medical care.
2. Our solution now qualifies as telehealth under federal law, making it the only HSA-compatible workplace clinic model that can provide no-cost care to HDHP employees.

That’s a big win for employers trying to support a diverse workforce, stay compliant, and control costs.

A Smarter Approach to Consumer-Driven Care

Radish providers don’t just diagnose – they guide employees through the healthcare system. That includes:

• Helping members comparison shop for high-cost services like imaging, surgery, or specialty care
• Providing referrals that factor in quality and price
• Supporting employees in making cost-effective decisions without sacrificing care

This is the kind of support HDHP members need most. When employees are responsible for more of their own healthcare spend, trusted clinical navigation becomes essential.

The Takeaway for Employers and Advisors

The permanent telehealth legislation gives employers a unique opportunity:

• Enhance your benefits offering
• Stay fully compliant with HDHP-HSA requirements
• Reduce care avoidance and unnecessary claims
• Support employees with real-time clinical and cost guidance
• Do it all without the high cost of traditional onsite clinics

With Radish, you can offer your employees care they’ll actually use – without breaking the model that makes HDHPs work.

Let’s Talk

Whether you’re advising clients or planning next year’s benefits strategy, Radish can help you navigate what’s changed and how to take advantage of it.