DES MOINES, Iowa (Gray Media Iowa Capitol Bureau)- The federal government shutdown is disrupting Medicare telehealth coverage, with Iowa patients receiving warnings that video appointments may not be reimbursed.

The University of Iowa Healthcare website now warns patients that their telehealth appointments might not be covered due to the government shutdown.

Temporary pandemic rules that allowed flexibility for remote appointments expired when the shutdown began.

Medicare and Medicaid may no longer reimburse patients for video visits unless a patient is in a rural area or calling from an approved clinic.

About 680,000 Medicare recipients in Iowa use telehealth services, according to state data.

The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services says the shutdown has not affected Medicar

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