Overview

• Medicare's pandemic-era telehealth waivers expired Oct. 1 because of the government shutdown, ending CMS payment for many in‑home virtual visits outside behavioral health.
• The American Telemedicine Association estimates roughly 30% of hospitals and health systems have paused Medicare telehealth services during the funding lapse.
• Provider responses vary as NYU Langone posted that Medicare and Medicaid patients cannot book new video visits, Providence is shifting some patients to in‑person care, and NYC Health + Hospitals says virtual visits continue as usual.
• Some systems are continuing telehealth at financial risk while others warn patients they could be billed if coverage is not restored, with St. Elizabeth Healthcare rescheduling many to in‑person visits and notifying patients about potential charges.
• ATA Action urges lawmakers to restore the flexibilities and guarantee back pay, calling the lapse the first since expansions began in 2020 and warning of reduced access for millions of patients.