Ongoing emergencies & disasters

Here’s information and updates about natural disasters, man-made incidents, and public health emergencies that are ongoing. You can also find information on current emergencies or past emergencies.

Opioid crisis

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that drug overdose deaths and opioid-involved deaths continue to increase in the United States. The majority of drug overdose deaths (more than six out of ten) involve an opioid. Since 1999, the number of overdose deaths involving opioids (including prescription opioids and heroin) have quadrupled. From 2000 to 2015 more than half a million people died from drug overdoses, and the CDC further indicates that “91 Americans die every day from an opioid overdose.”

On Thursday October 26, 2017 President Trump officially declared the opioid crisis a “public health emergency.” President Trump said from the White House that “This epidemic is a national health emergency.”

Trump laid out details of how his administration plans to combat the growing crisis – including promoting a massive anti-drug ad campaign – and instructed the Health and Human Services (HHS) secretary to declare the epidemic a public health emergency.

As a result of the consequences of the opioid crisis affecting our Nation, on October 26, 2017, and after consultation with public health officials as necessary, Eric D. Hargan, Acting Secretary of Health and Human Services, pursuant to the authority under section 319 of the Public Health Service Act, determined that a public health emergency exists nationwide (PDF). The Public Health Emergency (PHE) Declaration was renewed on January 24, 2018 (PDF)for an additional 90 days by Acting Secretary Hargan. The PHE was extended effective April 24, 2018 (PDF), by Secretary Alex Azar. On July 23, 2018 Secretary Alex Azar renewed the PHE Declaration (PDF) for an additional 90 days.

Related link:
Opioid epidemic roadmap (PDF)

Medicare, Medicaid, & Marketplace fraud

We’re committed to preventing, finding, and fighting fraud in Medicare, Medicaid and the Marketplaces. Unfortunately, when there are emergencies, there are con artists who look for ways to scam people who are affected. The Department of Homeland Security has information about avoiding fraud, scams, and cyber-attacks.

Find more information:

• ICS-CERT: vendor-specific security bulletins and FDA, Center for Devices and Radiological
• Microsoft Security Bulletin MS17-010 – Critical   
• Microsoft Windows Advisory    
• Additional Microsoft information
• US-CERT SMB Advisory & Best Practices   
• Newsroom
• Emergency Prescription Assistance Program (EPAP)
• Public Health Emergency Declarations 
• Quality, Safety, & Oversight Group- Emergency Preparedness General Overview
• Quality, Safety, & Oversight Group- Emergency Preparedness Final Rule
• Medicare Claims During Public Health Emergencies
• Federal Emergency Management Agency Disaster Declarations 
• CMS Emergency Events Archive
• Hurricane Irma Resources from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
• TRACIE – Healthcare Emergency Preparedness Gateway

Fraud & phishing

CMS is committed to identifying and fighting fraud in Medicare, Medicaid and the Marketplaces. Unfortunately, emergencies can create opportunities for people who are looking to take advantage of those who are impacted. Consumers and partners in these programs should continue to be practice caution, report suspicious activity, and only share their personal and medical information with trusted providers who have a need for them. Learn more from the Department of Homeland Security about protecting yourself from fraud, scams, and cyber-attacks.