Hospitals and health systems across the U.S. are informing some Medicare patients that they will be unable to schedule telehealth appointments due to the federal government shutdown.
As of Oct. 1, Medicare’s pandemic-era telehealth waivers, which allowed patients to receive non-behavioral or mental health care in their home, expired.
The waivers allowed millions of seniors, among others, to have virtual appointments for tasks like prescription refills to wellness visits. The waivers do not impact in-person appointments and those who live in poorly served rural areas can go to a designated location, such as a doctor’s office or a hospital, to conduct telehealth visits.
Health systems, such as NYU Langone Health, have posted notices on their websites warning patients that virtual appointments cannot be scheduled.
“Due to the federal government shutdown, Medicare and Medicaid patients are unable to schedule new telehealth/video visits,” the notice reads. “If you already have a visit scheduled, it will continue as planned. If not, contact your doctor’s office to schedule an in-person appointment.”
NYU Langone Health did not respond to ABC News’ request for comment.
Local centers like St. Elizabeth Regional Diabetes Center in Kentucky have also paused telehealth appointments for Medicare patients, according to local ABC News affiliate WCPO.
Harold Simmons, who lives in Florence, near the Kentucky-Ohio border, said he had an upcoming appointment at the clinic canceled. His wife, Pat Simmons, said they both have many health issues that make it difficult for them to attend in-person appointments.
“When you’re dealing with diabetes or endocrine diseases, it could be an emergency at any time,” Pat Simmons told WCPO. “You also have people who are disabled, amputees.”
A spokesperson for St. Elizabeth Healthcare told ABC News in a statement that the system is working to provide appointments to patients affected by the cancellations.
“We understand how important continuity of care is, and we’re working diligently to reschedule affected patients for in-person visits,” the statement said. “For those who choose to keep their virtual appointments, we’re making sure they’re fully informed that a bill may be issued as a result of the government shutdown. We appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding during this time.”
In a statement, ATA Action, the advocacy arm of the American Telemedicine Association, urged Congress to reinstate Medicare telehealth flexibilities.
ATA Action said the flexibilities have been in place since 2020, during President Donald Trump’s first term, and this is the first time they have lapsed.
“Most providers and hospital systems are taking calculated risks to continue care during this time, but long-term continuity depends on action by our telehealth champions in Washington to restore these flexibilities and ensure retroactive reimbursement,” Kyle Zebley, executive director of ATA Action and senior vice president of public policy at ATA, said in a statement, in part. “Our health care services are regressing, falling woefully short for millions of patients in need.”
A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services told ABC News in a statement that Democrats are to blame for the shutdown.
“Senate Democrats are choosing to keep the government shut down, putting major health programs at risk. They should do the right thing and vote to reopen the government,” the statement read.
ABC News’ Youri Benadjaoud and Eric Strauss contributed to this report.