10/23/2025

GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN: Medicare Payments Delayed as LeadingAge Advocacy Continues

The federal government remains shut down, with Congress still deadlocked on a short-term funding bill. 

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued new guidance clarifying the Medicare payment claims hold announced earlier this month. The Medicare Learning Network provided additional details about how the hold will affect processing timelines for fee-for-service claims. While payments will resume once federal funding is restored, providers may face short-term cash flow challenges.

The shutdown also halted the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ October jobs report, which was scheduled for release on October 3. The delay leaves policymakers and industry leaders without a crucial economic indicator used to assess workforce trends and wage pressures across the health care and aging services sectors.

Meanwhile, congressional inaction has allowed Medicare telehealth flexibilities to expire. These waivers have enabled older adults to access care from home, including behavioral health and primary care visits. LeadingAge is urging members and partners to contact their elected officials and advocate for permanent telehealth provisions through its action campaign.

Despite the ongoing shutdown, LeadingAge continues active engagement with federal agencies and coalition partners to protect aging services providers and the individuals they serve.

Following an October 15 memo urging temporary changes in survey and certification policies, CMS issued updated guidance on October 21, allowing revisit surveys for facilities facing denials of payment for new admissions—a significant advocacy win for providers navigating compliance amid limited federal operations.

In addition, LeadingAge joined hospice organizations in a joint letter urging the new Drug Enforcement Administration administrator to act swiftly on telehealth prescribing rules for controlled substances.

This week, LeadingAge national and state leaders are in Washington, D.C., for a fly-in hosted by the American Business Immigration Coalition, pressing for immigration reforms to stabilize the aging services workforce. Members nationwide are encouraged to support this effort through the organization’s Your Voice Matters action alert.

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.