The following is the latest health policy news from the federal government for October 10 – 16.  Some of the language used below is taken directly from government documents.

Please note that most HHS and other health care-related agencies have indicated that they will not be announcing new policies, publishing proposed regulations, or updating their web sites during the current federal government shutdown.

Congress and the Shutdown

In its tenth attempt, the Senate today failed to pass a Republican-sponsored continuing resolution (CR).  Republicans were unable to gain the 60 votes needed to pass the bill, winning Democratic support only from the same three Democratic senators – Catherine Cortez Masto (NV), John Fetterman (PA), and Angus King (ME) – who have consistently backed the bill.  Despite the continuing impasse, congressional leadership has yet to meet and negotiate the inclusion of extended health care subsidies sought by Democrats.  Republicans have indicated a willingness to discuss Affordable Care Act subsidies but only after the end of the government shutdown while Senate Appropriations Committee Vice Chair Patty Murray has emphasized that progress on health care provisions is essential to ending the shutdown.

Even as the Senate pursues a new CR, Majority Leader John Thune is now seeking to move forward with some full-year funding bills; this effort may include a Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies bill.

This week President Trump directed that military personnel be paid, easing a potential crisis in the government shutdown.  While the most visible effect of the shutdown so far has been flight delays and cancellations due to air traffic controller and TSA staffing shortages, a bigger challenge will arise next week when most federal employees, including some who are still working, will miss their first full paycheck.  This should increase pressure for a solution to the federal government shutdown.

Medicare Payments During the Government Shutdown

Effective October 1, CMS instructed all Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) to hold claims with dates of service of October 1 and later for services affected by the expired Medicare legislative payment provisions – so-called health care extenders.  In light of the continuing government shutdown, CMS will continue to process and pay held claims in a timely manner with the exception of selected claims for services affected by the expired provisions.  To date, no payments have been delayed because statute already requires all claims to be held for a minimum of 14 days.  Providers may continue to submit claims.  Learn more from this CMS notice for fee-for-service providers.

The notice also reminds providers of guidance CMS issued on October 1 specifically about telehealth services explaining that absent congressional action, beginning on October 1 many of the statutory limitations that were in place for Medicare telehealth services prior to the COVID-19 public health emergency took effect again for services that are not behavioral health services.  These include prohibition of many services provided to beneficiaries in their homes and outside of rural areas and hospice recertifications that require a face-to-face encounter.  In the absence of congressional action, practitioners who choose to perform telehealth services that are not payable by Medicare on or after October 1 may want to evaluate providing beneficiaries with an Advance Beneficiary Notice of Noncoverage.  Find that October 1 notice here.

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
  • CMS has launched the Medicare Part C and Part D open enrollment period with new information about health and drug plans and access to provider directories.  Find the portal here.
  • CMS has issued a National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) COVID-19 vaccine administration edit revision, explaining that some providers may have 90480 claims denied when billed in conjunction with G0008, G0009, or G0010 as a result of a Procedure to Procedure edit released in the 2025 Quarter 4 NCCI files.  On October 14 CMS issued replacement NCCI files to remove this edit.  Medicare MACs will reprocess claims with dates of service between July 1 and October 15 within approximately 30 business days and Medicare providers do not need to take any action.  Learn more from this CMS notice.
Department of Health and Human Services

HHS’s Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has posted a video of its October 7 National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program Welcome Webinar for 2026.  The webinar offers information for program participants about program compliance requirements, in-school requirements, post-graduate training, transitioning to service, additional resources and more.  Find the video and an accompanying transcript here.

Medicaid State Plan Amendments

CMS has approved the following state plan amendments for Medicaid and CHIP programs.

  • To Alaska, updating the state’s professional dispensing fees and the excluded drug listing.
  • To New York, providing a one-time across-the-board funding increase of up to $280.5 million for nursing homes.
Department of Health and Human Services

HHS’s Office of the Inspector General has updated its October audit work plan.  Find the updated work plan here.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

The CDC has updated its data on reported measles cases in the U.S.  Find the update here.

Stakeholder Events

MACPAC – Commissioners Meeting – October 30-31

MACPAC’s commissioners will hold their next public meeting virtually on Thursday, October 30 and Friday, October 31.  An agenda and registration information are not yet available but when they are they will be posted here.

HHS/Office of the Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy – ASTP Annual Meeting – February 11-12, 2026

HHS’s Office of the Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy will hold its annual meeting in Washington, DC on February 11-12, 2026.  The meeting will include in-person education and plenary sessions and networking opportunities for the health IT community.  The main stage plenary sessions will also be available for viewing online.  ASTP will soon post information on the meeting’s agenda, how to register, and how to reserve a hotel room through ASTP’s room block.  When it does, that information will be posted here.