Key takeaways

• Your coverage continues. Medicare benefits will remain active during a government shutdown, including for hospital care, doctor visits, and Medicare Part D prescription drug services.
   
• Expect possible delays. If the shutdown lasts long enough, non-urgent questions handled by Medicare may be delayed due to reduced staffing, including for claims, appeals, or replacing a lost Medicare card.
   
• Potential workarounds. Print a card from your Medicare online account or view your Medicare number through your Social Security account.
   
• Enrollment continues. You can still sign up, switch, or update plans during official Medicare enrollment periods, though phone or in-person support may take longer.
   
• Some beneficiaries will be unaffected. People enrolled in Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement and Medicare Part D plans will be unaffected in the short term by a government shutdown, as long as they access support through licensed insurance agents or private insurance companies that offer these plans.

Medicare during a government shutdown

On Oct.1, 2025, the U.S. government shut down because Congress did not approve a spending plan for fiscal year 2026. A shutdown happens when lawmakers can’t agree on a budget, leaving some federal agencies without necessary funding. Important federal agencies include Social Security, Medicare, law enforcement, air traffic control and the Transportation Security Association (TSA) — but while some must reduce staffing and postpone non-essential services, others that are funded differently continue to operate normally.

Here’s what you need to know:

1. Medicare benefits remain active.

Medicare and Social Security are paid through “mandatory spending,” which includes funds from payroll taxes and monthly premiums. This funding is not tied to Congress’s annual budget, so your benefits generally continue even during a shutdown.

That means:

• Part A (hospital insurance), Part B (medical insurance), Part C (Medicare Advantage), and Part D (prescription drug coverage) stay in effect.
• You can still see doctors, get hospital care, and fill prescriptions as usual. · If you receive a Part B premium giveback, Social Security will continue to process it. If the plan you enrolled in offers this benefit it may take a minimum of four months to begin processing. You must continue to pay your Part B premium.

Note: Telehealth benefits introduced during COVID-19 — including certain virtual visits and in-home care programs — ended Sept. 30, 2025 and will resume only if funding is approved in the new budget. Check Medicare.gov or your insurance plan for the latest information.

2. Expect service delays.

While your coverage won’t be interrupted, administrative services may slow down if the shutdown lasts long enough.

• Nearly half of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) staff are furloughed during a shutdown.
• You may eventually face longer-than-usual hold times when calling Medicare or Social Security.
• Claims, appeals, and mailed services (like replacing a lost Medicare or Social Security card) may take longer.

3. Enrollment periods are still open.

You can still make plan changes during Medicare enrollment windows.

• The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) runs from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7.
• Online enrollment works as normal.
• Local Social Security offices may be slower to provide in-person support.

Closing tips

Government shutdowns aren’t new. In recent years, the U.S. has had several, including a 35-day shutdown in late 2018 – early 2019. The length of each varies, so it’s best to act early if you need service.

If you experience delays:

• Use your Medicare online account to print a replacement Medicare Beneficiary Identification card.
• Check your Social Security online account for your Medicare ID number.
• Contact a licensed insurance agent for help comparing plans and getting enrollment guidance, especially with AEP approaching.