TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Frustration is growing across the Tampa Bay area as Medicare telehealth flexibilities expired during the federal government shutdown, leaving patients and providers in limbo.

The uncertainty comes as Congress remains deadlocked, leaving Medicare patients and providers waiting for a fix.

Mark Thorton, a Medicare recipient, says the gridlock in Washington is appauling,” Thorton said. “They have to work together. The Democrats go to one side, the Republicans go to one side and this is what’s happening.”

The shutdown means provisions under Section 2207 of the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act are no longer in effect as they were set to expire Sept. 30.

The act was passed during the pandemic and removed geographic restrictions for telehealth, allowed patients to connect with providers virtually from their homes and expanded the range of providers eligible for reimbursement, including therapists and specialty care doctors.

Without it, Medicare patients must once again meet outdated requirements for telehealth — often limited to rural areas or specific facilities — shutting out many seniors in cities like Tampa.

Dr. Traci Thompson, CEO and founder of Tampa community clinic Dr. Traci’s House, said the impact goes far beyone patient convenience.

“There’s a lot of our patients who have issues with transportation, and so, you know, they’re in the comfort of their home,” Dr. Thompson said. “We can have a visit, we can go over their medications, we can go over their symptoms so we can be really timely and responsive to them.”

But with telehealth flexibilities gone, Thompson says her staff is losing the ability to manage caseloads efficiently.

“That takes away from our flexibility and our ability to really see people timely,” she said.

There are also financial risks for clinics that depend on Medicare reimbursements for virtual care.

“At our practice, upwards of 25, 30% of our visits are telehealth, so that is a big chunk that we’re not getting reimbursed and that can be an impact on individuals being able to keep the doors open,” Thompson explained.