Medicare is a health program from the U.S. government that helps millions of people pay their medical services. In the last few years, one of the most important changes was the use of telehealth, which allows people to talk to a doctor on the phone or video call without having to go to an office. However, there was a confusion about this type of health service. So, to learn more about it, let’s keep reading this article.
What happened during the shutdown?
During the U.S. government shutdown, some special rules about Medicare temporarily expired. These rules allowed patients to receive medical services through telehealth, no matter where they lived or where they were connected from.
When these rules temporarily expired, it was chaos. Medicare contractors were suddenly unsure whether many telehealth appointments followed the older, stricter laws. So, because of this confusion:
- Many telehealth claims were put on hold.
- Some claims were returned or rejected.
- Doctors did not know if they would get paid.
- Patients were unsure if their visits were covered.
Official decision about telehealth
At the end of November, the agency that manages Medicare, called CMS, cleared up the confusion. CMS confirmed that all telehealth rules are back in place for visits that happened between October 1, 2025, and January 30, 2026. This means Medicare will treat those appointments as if the government shutdown never happened.
What this means for Medicare patients
For people who use Medicare, this decision is very important. Patients can keep receiving medical services by telehealth:
- No matter if they live in rural or urban areas.
- From anywhere (yes, even your home).
- Until January 30, 2026.
Basically, patients didn’t lose their access to telehealth, and their care remains protected.
And for doctors and healthcare providers?
Many doctors and healthcare providers had issues to charge services during the government shutdown. Some bills were rejected or returned because Medicare contractors could not confirm whether the services were allowed.
CMS has now instructed Medicare contractors to:
- Process telehealth claims using the restored rules.
- Accept claims that were previously delayed or rejected.
- Treat those claims as payable.
Providers are encouraged to resubmit any claims that were returned during the shutdown. Once resubmitted, those claims can now be paid.
Patients who paid from their pockets
Some patients paid for telehealth appointments during the shutdown because they didn’t know if Medicare covered them. In this case, CMS stated that providers must:
- Identify patients who paid out of pocket.
- Resubmit the telehealth claim to Medicare.
- Receive payment from this health program.
- Refund the patient for any amount they overpaid.
This makes sure patients do not have to pay extra for getting medical care during a time when the rules were unclear.
Why is this clarification important?
Telehealth has become a key tool for many people, especially for those who have difficulties to move or live far from medical offices. So, clarifying these rules, Medicare makes ensures:
- Fair treatment for providers.
- Continuity of care.
- Financial protection for patients.
To sum up
If you or someone close to you uses this health program, this update may be comforting. It means you can keep talking to your doctor by phone or video without the stress of wondering whether your coverage will end. Any telehealth visits you had during the government shutdown are still valid, and no one should be left paying for care that Medicare now covers.
With the confusion now resolved, you can feel more confident knowing that telehealth remains a safe, accessible, and covered option for your healthcare needs. How important is it that we can have access to programs like this one?