Federal Government Shutdown: Key Updates for ACR Members

This page was updated Nov. 11 with a revision to the MedPAC section.

ACR® will update this page with any developments that impact radiologists, practices and patients. ACR members, continue to read the ACR Advocacy in Action e-newsletter delivered to in your inbox Saturday mornings.

What this means

Essential services (e.g., air traffic control, critical healthcare) will continue.
Nonessential federal employees are furloughed. Many agency staff may be unable to travel to or attend scientific conferences, meetings and events.
Congress must pass either appropriations legislation or a Continuing Resolution, which must be signed by the President to end the shutdown.
ACR will provide updates as developments occur.

The following agencies have publicly posted shutdown contingency plans, which are summarized below. Each heading is a direct link to that respective plan.

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS):

New: Telehealth Coverage Changes (Nov. 6, 2025) - pandemic-era telehealth flexibilities expired on Oct. 1, 2025. Medicare now covers only behavioral and mental health telehealth services.
New: Lung cancer screening - code G0296 - is not payable via telehealth under current rules unless Congress reinstates broader telehealth flexibilities.
Medicare will not pay for most telehealth services delivered to patients at home or outside rural areas
CMS lifted the hold Oct. 21 on certain Medicare payments for services impacted by expired provisions; claims will be processed and paid as they pass the statutorily required 14-day payment floor; 53% of CMS staff retained.
Federal No Surprises Act Independent Resolution Process is unaffected by the shutdown.
Medicaid is funded through Q1 FY 2026.
CMS rulemaking and policy development may be delayed.

Food and Drug Administration (FDA):

MQSA mammography certification remains operational. FDA will update ACR of any status change.
Safety-related activities and those funded by carry-over user fees continue.
New drug/device submissions requiring fees are paused.
86% of FDA staff retained.

National Institutes of Health (NIH):

New Guidance: Most current research grantees can still draw funds. Still accepting grant applications to be processed when shutdown ends.
PubMed has issued a notice that during the shutdown information on their website may not be up to date and no new submissions are processed.
Grant reviews, new awards and most meetings paused.
25.5% of staff retained, primarily those who provide patient care.

Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H):

Operations continue using carry-over balances from prior appropriations.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

The NIOSH Coal Workers Health Surveillance Program (CWHSP) continues to provide services to coal miners.
Services related to B Reader Certification, including B Reader examinations and grading, are paused; monitor CDC/NIOSH sites.
Public health communications and most activities paused.
36% of CDC/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry staff retained.

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA):

Medical care and critical services continue.
97% of VA employees funded or exempt from furlough.

Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC):

Licensing, inspections, adjudicatory activities and other routine enforcement functions may be delayed or discontinued.
Carryover funding will instead be used on critical health/safety activities and reforms.
Medical licensees should monitor NRC communications.

MedPAC:

Due to a lapse in appropriations, the November public meeting was cancelled.

We will continue to monitor developments and share updates as available.

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Federal Government Shutdown: Key Updates for ACR Members

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