Government shutdown sparks concerns locally in healthcare

JACKSON, Tenn. — The government shutdown continues, and there are growing concerns over Medicare and Medicaid and if patients will still receive needed care.

As the shutdown now enters day 24, there are many concerns regarding how the shutdown will impact healthcare.

Medicare and Medicaid provide health insurance availability for seniors, low-income residents, and disadvantaged groups. Medicare and Medicaid has not seen a big impact by the shutdown because the funding for these programs are built into law.

Locally, West Tennessee Healthcare has experienced temporary holds on certain Medicare claims like ground ambulance services, but that hold has been lifted as of this week.

Medicare has accepted claims during the entire shutdown and has paid the majority of them. Therefore, West Tennessee Healthcare patients should not be concerned and they will still receive care.

“As I mentioned, we’re operating normally and taking care of patients all across the region, and so we’ll continue to do so,” said Amy Garner, Chief Compliance & Communications Officer, West Tennessee Healthcare.

There are also concerns about how local pharmacies are affected with the government shutdown.

Some pharmacies are not impacted by the shutdown, but others say it is difficult for them to get medication for their customers at times because of pricing.

“With this governmental shutdown, it’s making it even more harder now to get an explanation to our people and to our patients and customers when it comes to their Medicare,” said Derrick Crutchfield, pharmacy technician at Hudson Drug Store in Bolivar.

“The ordering prices have definitely gone up ever since the government shutdown,” Crutchfield added. “It’s making it hard for us to get most drugs for our patients.”

As of today, the shutdown is still ongoing and the Senate is set to vote on the funding bill on Monday, October 27 — but it is unclear if the Senate will have enough votes to pass the bill and reopen the government.

Open enrollment for traditional Medicare and Medicaid advantage plans started on October 15. However, the federal Affordable Care Act marketplace begins on November 1.

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