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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As of Oct. 1, Medicare’s pandemic-era telehealth waivers<\/a>, which allowed patients to receive non-behavioral or mental health care in their home, expired.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The waivers allowed millions of seniors, among others, to have virtual appointments for tasks like prescription refills to wellness visits.\u00a0The 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.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Health systems, such as NYU Langone Health, have posted notices on their websites warning patients that virtual appointments cannot be scheduled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Due to the federal government shutdown, Medicare and Medicaid patients are unable to schedule new telehealth\/video visits,” the notice<\/a> 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.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n NYU Langone Health did not respond to ABC News’ request for comment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “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.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “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.”<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n