Ongoing government shutdown revokes funding for Telehealth visits

As of October 1st, telehealth visits are no longer being paid for by Medicare. This is a result of the government shutdown and the pandemic waivers that allowed for coverage of these visits to expire.

It’s especially rough for chronically ill patients like those with diabetes who have to have regular check-ins with their doctor, or those who cannot drive or live in rural communities. The telehealth visits allowed patients to see their doctors, receive prescriptions, or check in for test results.

Appointments booked before October 1st will be honored, but no new appointments can be scheduled.

Will Humble, Executive Director, Arizona Public Health Association, joined “Arizona Horizon” to talk more about how the ongoing government shutdown will affect patients who utilize Telehealth visits.