The Rev Dr. Rick SchlosserDear Friends,
While we don’t have a complete list of changes to Medicare rules, we do know that as of yesterday, first day of government shutdown, all “telemed” access is done. Telemed is the access people with communicable diseases (COVID) or travel problems have in seeing a doctor via online or Face Time interaction.
That is now no longer paid for by Medicare.
We urge people needing this service to ask their private supplement plan and medical providers if they intend to keep the service and if so, how it will be paid. The sheer stupidity of forcing people into doctors’ offices with communicable diseases boggles the mind, but that’s the new rule.
Probably wise to ask your provider what other goodies await us down the road. Nothing worse than finding out something you’ve needed is no longer available.
We seriously do not want medicine reduced to “thoughts and prayers”, so please plan in advance to see what is still offered, what is not, and how to cope.
Thank you.
Elizabeth Sholes
Public Policy Advocate