7 Smart Ways to Protect Your Healthcare During Medicaid & Medicare Disruptions — Even Amid Government Cuts
Worried about losing coverage due to Medicaid or Medicare changes? Our latest blog post breaks down seven practical steps you can take right now to stay protected — even during government cuts. Read it at OregonTelemed.com.
As conversations around federal budget negotiations and government shutdowns continue, many individuals who rely on Medicaid and Medicare are now asking the same urgent question:
“Will I still be able to get care?”
If you or a loved one depend on government-backed insurance — or you’re unsure whether upcoming policy shifts will affect your eligibility, coverage, or co-pays — you are not alone. At Oregon Telemed, we’re already seeing the impact of these disruptions on our patients:
Longer approval times for medication refills
Delayed prior authorizations for specialty visits
Confusion around telehealth coverage
Patients suddenly being told they’re no longer active in Medicaid due to redetermination delays or system errors
The good news? There are proactive steps you can take to maintain continuity of care — whether your benefits are temporarily paused, under review, or at risk of being reduced.
Here are 7 smart strategies to protect your healthcare access — even during a system shake-up.
1. Verify Your Medicaid or Medicare Eligibility Status Right Now
Many people wrongly assume they’re still covered — until a pharmacy, provider, or ER visit tells them otherwise. Don’t wait.
? Call the number on the back of your insurance card
? Or check your state Medicaid portal (Oregon residents can visit ONE.Oregon.gov)
? Ask specifically: “Am I active today? When is my coverage scheduled for renewal?”
2. Update Your Contact Information with the State
Thousands of people lose coverage simply because the state tried to reach them by mail and couldn’t confirm their address or income. Take two minutes to verify your mailing address, phone, and email with your Medicaid office or Medicare Advantage plan.
3. Request Early Refills or Extended Supplies of Medication
If you rely on chronic medications (like inhalers, blood pressure meds, insulin, antidepressants, or GLP-1 weight loss/diabetes treatments) — ask your provider about:
90-day mail-order supplies
Emergency courtesy refills
Cash-pay discount options (even if insurance is pending)
At Oregon Telemed, we can help patients compare self-pay pharmacy pricing vs. insurance co-pays in advance, so you’re never stuck without medication.
4. Use Telehealth Whenever Possible — It Reduces Denials and Delays
Telehealth visits are often:
? Faster to approve
? Easier to document for redetermination
? Accepted by most Medicaid and Medicare plans even during transition periods
OTM providers can document medical necessity, send referrals, and submit care summaries — making it easier to fight claim denials later if needed.
5. Know Your Backup Payment Options Before You Need Them
Even if you usually rely on Medicaid or Medicare, it’s smart to have a Plan B ready:
Ask your provider if they offer sliding-scale pricing
Look for patient assistance programs for brand-name medications
Keep a list of community clinics or voucher programs in your area
At Oregon Telemed, we allow self-pay visits at transparent rates and can re-bill insurance later if your coverage reactivates.
6. Document Every Interaction with Your Insurance Carrier
If your coverage lapses or is incorrectly terminated, you’ll need proof of communication. Write down:
Dates you called
Names of representatives
Confirmation numbers
This information can make or break an appeal — especially during mass policy shifts.
7. Don’t Delay Care Out of Fear — There Are Always Options
One of the biggest risks during coverage disruptions is that people stop getting care entirely. Minor infections become ER visits. Untreated anxiety becomes crisis. Blood pressure spikes lead to hospitalizations.
Please hear us:
Your health is still a priority — even when the system is unstable.
Oregon Telemed is committed to:
? Seeing patients regardless of insurance interruptions
? Offering flexible self-pay options when Medicaid/Medicare are in limbo
? Providing documentation to help you fight coverage denials or reinstatement issues
Final Thought: The System May Be Slow — But You Don’t Have to Be
Medicaid and Medicare cuts, pauses, or administrative errors may be out of your control — but how you prepare isn’t.
If you’re unsure of your coverage status or need help securing care during this transition, reach out. We’ll walk with you through it.
? Visit OregonTelemed.com and tap “Book Now” — insurance or not, we’re here for you.