The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released an updated contingency plan on September 21 for a potential government shutdown beginning October 1. According to the plan, the agency expects to furlough about 42% of its workforce, or approximately 35,000 staff, including grant processors and support staff. The remaining 58%, or 51,000 workers, will keep essential services running. These percentages vary among HHS Operating Divisions and offices.

For example, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Medicare Program will continue during a lapse in appropriations. Other non-discretionary activities will also continue, including Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control and Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation activities.

• CMS will have sufficient funding for Medicaid to fund the first quarter of Fiscal Year 2024, based on the advance appropriation provided for in the Fiscal Year 2023 appropriation.
• CMS will maintain the staff necessary to make payments to eligible states for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
• CMS will continue Federal Exchange activities, such as eligibility verification, using the Federal Exchange user fee carryover.

All posted HHS contingency plan information can be found here, including impacts on various HHS Operating Divisions such as the CDC and FDA. When LeadingAge inquired about the specific impact on providers, CMS referred us to this memo from 2013 that outlines impacts on different survey and certification activities.