Medicare Payments to Doctors Paused Amid Government Shutdown
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has paused Medicare payments to doctors due to the ongoing government shutdown.
CMS announced the pause on its website, but did not specify when it would end. The pause is related to the need for Congress to reauthorize certain Medicare payment programs, including those for telehealth and rural providers.
CMS did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The reauthorization of these programs has been tied to the overall deal to reopen the government, causing uncertainty for physicians. It is unclear why all physician payments have been paused, rather than just those related to the programs that need renewal.
Author's summary: Medicare payments to doctors paused due to government shutdown.