Several health systems have restored telehealth access for Medicare patients following the federal government’s reopening.
Some systems delayed virtual visits or gave patients the option of switching to in-person appointments or paying out of pocket after CMS telehealth flexibilities expired Oct. 1 with the government shutdown.
“With the passage of a temporary government funding bill on Nov. 12, 2025, Medicare has now temporarily restored telehealth waivers and services until Jan. 30, 2026,” Chicago-based CommonSpirit Health wrote on its website.
“Congress has extended Medicare and Medicaid telehealth/video coverage through Jan. 30, 2026,” New York City-based NYU Langone Health wrote. “Our telehealth/video services are fully restored, and we are now scheduling these visits for eligible patients.”
Other health systems that have fully reinstated Medicare telehealth include Winston-Salem, N.C.-based Novant Health, Omaha-based Nebraska Medicine, Renton, Wash.-based Providence, San Diego-based Scripps Health, Radnor Township-based Main Line Health, and Edgewood, Ky.-based St. Elizabeth Healthcare.
“We did not discontinue telehealth visits during the shutdown,” Shane Thielman, senior vice president and chief information and digital officer at Scripps Health, told Becker’s. “We did reschedule some Medicare patients who were no longer eligible for telehealth visits; however, many elected to keep their telehealth visits and accept financial responsibility.
“The majority of Medicare beneficiaries seeking care at Scripps are attributed to the Scripps ACO, which participates in the CMS Medicare Shared Savings Program. Medicare beneficiaries are prospectively assigned to the Scripps ACO, and telehealth flexibilities continued for these patients throughout the shutdown.
“Overall, the impact to telehealth visits at Scripps was limited.”
A Providence spokesperson stated: “We are thankful that telehealth services are once again available for all Medicare patients and that all services will be reimbursed for the shutdown period. To avoid future disruptions to patient care, we will continue to advocate for permanent policies that support our ability to provide and be reimbursed for essential telehealth services. Permanent telehealth policies will result in better access for patients, especially for rural and vulnerable populations, and will allow us to continue providing the right care at the right time for patients who need it.”
“St. Elizabeth’s Medicare telehealth visits fully resumed following the recent government shutdown on Nov. 17,” said Sara Browne, BSN, RN, director of nursing for virtual health at St. Elizabeth Healthcare. “Telehealth remains an essential part of our commitment to providing convenient, high-quality care for patients wherever they are. Our team is ready to ensure continuity of care and support for all who rely on these services.”
