Question: Does the government shutdown affect Medicare enrollment, claims or support? Answer: No. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
Medicaid
Medicaid in the United States is a federal and state program that helps with medical costs for some people with limited income and resources. Medicaid also offers benefits not normally covered by Medicare, including nursing home care and personal care services. The Health Insurance As…
Is Medicare affected by the partial government shutdown?
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has been funded through September 30, 2019, and its programs (Medicare and Medicaid) haven’t been affected by the partial government shutdown. Claims continue to be processed as usual. Medicare enrollment, which is processed through the Social Security Administration, hasn’t been affected, either.
How do I contact Medicare if there is a government shutdown?
You can continue to contact Medicare’s toll-free 800-Medicare number (800-633-4227) with any questions on the program, although the phone lines tend to be busy early in the year; some other resources might be easier to reach, regardless of the shutdown.
What happens to social security if the government shuts down?
Social Security recipients will probably be largely unaffected by a shutdown. Checks for seniors, those with disabilities and survivors will go out as usual. ... A government shutdown will likely affect Social Security disability recipients who are applying for Medicare.
Will the government shutdown affect the Affordable Care Act (ACA)?
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has been funded through fiscal year 2019 and is not affected by the shutdown. The Department of Health and Human Services, which also has been funded for fiscal year 2019, runs the ACA marketplaces, and subsidy payments will not be disrupted.
What happens to Medicare if government shuts down?
Medicare services: Medicare services will continue, at least for a time. Veterans Administration: VA care and services will continue. Disabled veterans, dependents and survivors would continue to receive their payments from the VA. The U.S. Postal Service: Mail will be delivered in the event of a shutdown.
Does government shutdown affect Medicare benefits?
Yes, Social Security benefits will continue to go out in the event of a government shutdown. That's because Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid are among the mandatory spending that isn't subject to annual appropriations from Congress.
Would government shutdown affect Social Security payments?
Typically, Social Security checks are not affected by a shutdown. Social Security payments do not require funding from Congress.
What programs are affected by a government shutdown?
There are nine federal departments affected by the Trump Shutdown: Homeland Security, Treasury, Agriculture, Interior, Housing and Urban Development, Justice, Commerce, Transportation, and State.
Is the government going to stop Social Security?
As a result of changes to Social Security enacted in 1983, benefits are now expected to be payable in full on a timely basis until 2037, when the trust fund reserves are projected to become exhausted.
What would a government shutdown mean?
A government shutdown occurs when the legislative branch does not pass key bills which fund or authorize the operations of the executive branch, resulting in the cessation of some or all operations of a government.
Are we getting our Social Security checks this month?
Social Security checks are normally paid on the second, third and fourth Wednesdays of each month.
What happens to Social Security if the government defaults?
Social Security benefits, and the processing of applications for Social Security benefits, will continue even in the event of a government shutdown. What's unclear is whether SSI payments will continue without delay if the debt ceiling isn't raised.
What happens if a budget does not pass?
If the budget is not completed by the new fiscal year, Congress must pass a continuing resolution authorizing temporary funding at the previous year's levels or face a government shutdown.
When did the government shutdown last?
The United States federal government shutdown from midnight EST on December 22, 2018, until January 25, 2019 (35 days) was the longest U.S. government shutdown in history and the second and final federal government shutdown involving furloughs during the presidency of Donald Trump.
Do federal employees work on government shutdown?
And if a federal employee is considered essential by their agency, they must report for duty during a shutdown, regardless of whether they had already scheduled leave, although managers have some flexibility to accommodate the need for “brief or intermittent” time off.
Medicare and Medicaid Funding Remains Mandatory
Funding for Medicare and Medicaid is mandatory, meaning it is not subject to annual appropriations that lapse during a shutdown.
CMS Has Mandatory Funding to Continue ACA Implementation
The HHS shutdown contingency plan for FY2012 stated that, “Operations of the Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight would continue as funding was provided through the Affordable Care Act.” This includes insurance rate reviews, assessment of a portion of insurance premiums that are used on medical services, establishment of exchanges, operation of the pre-existing condition insurance program and the early retiree reinsurance program.
Conclusion
Although a government shutdown for any period of time could result in delays in claims processing, audits, and other administrative functions, most essential functions of Medicare, Medicaid, and ACA implementation will continue to operate under emergency and mandatory funding.
When did the Social Security Administration stop processing new applications?
During the 1995-96 government shutdown, the Social Security Administration stopped processing new applications for benefits, although as the shutdown dragged on, the agency eventually brought in more employees and renewed the process. It may be harder to get questions answered and problems dealt with.
How long does it take for Social Security to close?
By law, Social Security disability recipients must wait two years from the date of their receipt of disability benefits to qualify for Medicare. Delays in decisions caused by the shutdown could have a significant impact on these individuals.
How much was sequestration cut in 2013?
In 2013, sequestration cut about $85 billion in equal parts from national security and other spending. Unless Congress acts, similar cuts will hit early in 2014 and for eight subsequent years.
What happened to the credit rating in 2011?
A delay in raising the debt ceiling before near default in 2011 resulted in the first-ever downgrade in the U.S. credit rating and a sharp drop in the stock market.
How many federal employees were furloughed in 1995?
But many facilities will close and many services will be unavailable. In a five-day shutdown in 1995, 800,000 federal employees were told not to report to work. Several weeks later, 240,000 employees were furloughed in a 21-day shutdown. 4.
What government services are still in service?
This means that the military, air traffic controllers, the Border Patrol, the FBI, prison guards and many other U.S. government employees will remain on duty. But many facilities will close and many services will be unavailable.
Is Obamacare still funded?
Some members of Congress are still determined to withhold funding for the health care law, often called Obamacare. Some made it a reason for the government shutdown, some want to make that a condition for raising the debt ceiling.
