10/09/2025

GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN: Updates for Aging Service Providers

The federal government remains shut down as of October 9, with Congress still deadlocked on a short-term funding bill. Essential health programs continue, but many federal operations are curtailed.

Telehealth: With Congress failing to extend pandemic-era waivers, Medicare has reverted to pre-2020 rules. Most beneficiaries must now be in rural areas and at an approved “originating site”—not at home—for telehealth reimbursement, and audio-only visits are no longer covered. CMS has instructed contractors to temporarily hold telehealth claims as lawmakers consider reinstating flexibilities. Learn more from Healthcare Dive and The ASCO Post.

Surveys and Oversight: CMS is maintaining only immediate jeopardy and serious-harm investigations, while routine recertifications and lower-level complaint surveys are paused. States must continue accepting complaints and uploading data to ASPEN and iQIES. View CMS’s survey contingency guidance.

Funding and Programs:

• Skilled nursing and nursing facilities continue to receive payments, though processing delays may occur.
• Assisted living and adult day providers remain funded through state Medicaid programs; the Child and Adult Care Food Program continues using carryover funds, per USDA’s contingency plan.
• HUD senior housing programs under Sections 202 and 811 continue existing rental assistance payments, but new commitments and renewals are delayed, as outlined in HUD’s lapse contingency plan.

Across all provider types, communications, approvals, and grant processing from federal agencies are slowed as thousands of staff are furloughed at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

LeadingAge continues monitoring the shutdown through its serial page and the National Policy Pulse call each Monday at 3:30 p.m. ET. Please notify LeadingAge Ohio of any shutdown-related barriers so issues can be escalated to national partners.