Wondering about Your Payments if There’s a Shutdown?

WASHINGTON—If there’s a government shutdown at
midnight tonight, U.S. troops won’t be paid but Congress
will—and so will DME claims.

According to an HHS official, because Medicare fee-for-service
claims are handled by contractors and paid from discretionary
funds, there would be no immediate effect.

“In the case of a short-term lapse, contractors would
continue to process claims in a standard, timely fashion,”
the official told HomeCare.

“In the case of a longer-term shutdown, our ability to pay
contractors may be compromised.”

With only hours to go and the shutdown clock ticking, President
Obama will officially order federal agencies to start implementing
their shutdown plans “any minute now,” according to a
report from CQ Roll Call.
The president cancelled scheduled trips for today and tomorrow to
stay at the White House.

If the budget impasse comes to pass and lasts, the HHS official
said, more information will be coming regarding HHS, CMS and agency
functions.