Government Shutdown & Your Healthcare: How Taproot Is Here to Support You
- Dr. Angie Becerra, D.C.
- Oct 9
- 3 min read
Answers to common questions about discounted care, Medicare rules, and staying well during uncertain times.
The current federal government shutdown has created financial stress for many families in our community. For patients who work in government roles or rely on Medicare, this period can bring even more uncertainty.
In this post, we’ll answer common questions about healthcare during a government shutdown, share how Taproot Chiropractic & Wellness is supporting our community with discounted and pay-what-you-can care options, and clarify what Medicare patients need to know during this time.
🌿 Taproot’s Discounted & Pay-What-You-Can Program
We know that a sudden change in income — like a furlough — can make healthcare feel out of reach. At Taproot, we believe your health should not become another source of stress.
👉 Part of our mission is to have you leave every visit not only feeling more physically at ease, but also mentally and emotionally supported. We want our office to be a place where you can breathe a little easier — even in uncertain times.
For a temporary period, patients who are financially impacted by the government shutdown can use our discounted or pay-what-you-can program to continue their recommended care without interruption. While you’re on one of these plans, you’ll never leave the office with a balance, and you won’t owe us later for any care received during this time. Our hope is that this helps you relax a bit and focus on your well-being.
🤝 Our Only Ask
If you’re receiving discounted or free care, we ask that you commit fully to your doctor’s recommended care plan. We often see well-intentioned patients try to stretch out or space their appointments to make things feel easier financially or emotionally. While we completely understand that instinct, doing so can sometimes mean the root cause of the issue isn’t fully addressed, which can allow a small problem to become chronic over time.
We also want you to know that new patients may be accepted into these programs with prior doctor approval. We’re fortunate to live in such a fantastic, caring community, and we trust that people will use these programs in the spirit they’re intended—not to take advantage, but to get the care they truly need during a tough time.
And truly, we love our jobs and taking care of this community. We don’t mind offering this support at all. Once a patient is able to return to regular pricing, they can simply let us know and we’ll resume care at the standard rate—no questions asked.
📝 Looking Ahead: Long-Term Support if the Shutdown Continues
If government furloughs or the shutdown continue for an extended period, Taproot Chiropractic & Wellness will implement a more structured financial assistance program to support those affected long-term.
Our commitment is simple: to stand by our patients and community — no matter what.
📲 How to Access These Programs
If you think you may need to use our discounted or pay-what-you-can program, talk with your Taproot doctor or reach out to us directly:
📞 830-999-7668
💬 Text: 830-953-7512
We’ll walk you through your options and make sure your care remains uninterrupted during this time.
💬 A Note for Our Medicare Patients
Yes — even during a government shutdown, Medicare claims continue to be processed. While Taproot is a non-participating Medicare provider, this affects how some patients plan their care, so we want to be clear:
👉 Medicare only covers active (corrective) care — not wellness or maintenance care. This represents a very small percentage of our practice, but if your care is classified as wellness care, Medicare will not reimburse these visits, nor do they want wellness visits submitted to them. These visits are always the patient’s responsibility.
Additionally (and ridiculously), federal law prohibits us from offering discounts to Medicare beneficiaries, as doing so is considered an “enticement.” Even though this is one of the demographics that often struggles financially in our community, it is illegal for us to extend discounted care to Medicare-covered services.
We know this can be frustrating, and we wish the rules allowed for more flexibility, but we must follow these regulations to remain compliant.
💙 Taproot Is Here for You 💙
Times like these remind us why community matters. At Taproot Chiropractic & Wellness, we’re committed to supporting your health — through every season, challenge, and change.
If you have questions or need support, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re honored to care for this community.
With heart,
The Taproot Team
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