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Stanford Health Care has stopped scheduling new Medicare telehealth visits as hospitals and clinics on the Peninsula adjust to the uncertainty caused by the federal government shutdown. The health system said the pause applies to new Medicare telehealth bookings from Oct. 14 through Nov. 30 and affects many older patients who relied on virtual visits for routine care. Stanford said that ongoing telehealth relationships for some patients may continue, while the pause applies to new Medicare appointments. In a statement to Palo Alto Online, Lisa Kim, Stanford Health Care's senior media relations manager, confirmed the scheduling pause and tied it to questions about reimbursement and policy during the shutdown. Kim told the outlet the system was taking a cautious approach while the payment landscape remains unsettled. Why hospitals are pulling back telehealth Medicare's pandemic-era telehealth waivers expired at the end of September when Congress failed to extend them, and the shutdown has left providers uncertain whether Medicare will reimburse most home‑based virtual visits. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has stated that clinicians may continue to furnish and submit claims, but that some payments could be delayed or placed on hold, an uncertainty that has prompted systems nationwide to scale back telehealth, according to AP News. Local systems follow suit As reported by Palo Alto Online, Kaiser Permanente paused telehealth appointments for many Medicare patients beginning Oct. 1, and neighborhood posts show a mix of canceled and completed telehealth visits in the Peninsula and Tri‑Valley. The story also noted that the Palo Alto Medical Foundation did not respond to requests for comment. Medi‑Cal and exceptions that remain California's Medi‑Cal program is unaffected by the federal lapse and continues to reimburse telehealth services, the California Medical Association says, and the CMA has advised providers to consider switching to in‑person care when feasible. The association also highlighted that exceptions remain for mental‑health and substance‑use disorder treatment and for certain rural beneficiaries, per the California Medical Association. What patients should do Medicare beneficiaries who rely on virtual care should contact their clinics or check their patient portals to confirm whether appointments will be converted to in‑person visits or rescheduled. Seniors' advocacy groups warn that millions depended on pandemic‑era telehealth for chronic‑care checkups and therapy, a problem AARP has been tracking as lawmakers consider next steps. Outlook and policy next steps Hospitals and physician groups are urging Congress to restore telehealth flexibilities or clarify reimbursement rules. Historically, lawmakers have sometimes made funding retroactive after shutdowns, which could result in delayed payments to providers if a deal is struck. The American Medical Association has advised clinicians to document patient notices about potential non-coverage and to monitor CMS guidance as the situation evolves, according to the AMA's advocacy updates.
