The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced today additional resources and flexibilities available in response to Hurricane Helene in Florida and Georgia. CMS is working closely with the states of Florida and Georgia to put these flexibilities in place to ensure those affected by this natural disaster have access to the care they need – when they need it most.
On September 26, 2024, President Biden determined that an emergency exists in Florida and Georgia due to the emergency conditions resulting from Hurricane Helene beginning September 26, 2024, and continuing. Additionally, on September 26, 2024, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra determined that a Public Health Emergency (PHE) exists in Florida and Georgia, and has existed since September 26, 2024.
CMS stands ready to assist with resources and waivers to ensure hospitals and other facilities can continue to operate and provide access to care to those impacted by the consequences of the hurricane.
The following is key information on resources for those affected and actions CMS is taking in response to the hurricane in Florida and Georgia:
States of Florida and Georgia Waivers: CMS waivers are available to providers in Florida and Georgia who have been affected by Hurricane Helene. Health care providers who need additional flexibilities specific to the effects resulting from Hurricane Helene can submit a request to CMS here: https://cmsqualitysupport.servicenowservices.com/cms_1135
Special Enrollment Opportunities for Hurricane Victims: CMS will make available special enrollment periods for eligible individuals to enroll in coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace. This gives people impacted by the hurricane the opportunity to enroll in coverage if they miss their original special enrollment period. For more information, please visit:
Disaster Toolkit and Support for State Medicaid and CHIP Agencies: To prepare for current and future disasters, CMS has developed an inventory of Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) flexibilities and authorities available to states in the event of a disaster to support Medicaid and CHIP operations and ensure continuity of coverage for people served through Medicaid and CHIP programs during times of crisis. For more information and to access the inventory and toolkit, visit: https://www.medicaid.gov/state-resource-center/disaster-response-toolkit/index.html.
Dialysis Care: CMS is helping people obtain and maintain access to critical life-saving services by activating the Kidney Community Emergency Response (KCER) program and working with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Network 6 (Georgia) and Network 7 (Florida), which is responsible under a contract with CMS for assessing the status of dialysis facilities in potentially impacted areas of the impacted states. This includes assessing impacts related to generators, alternate water supplies, providing education and materials for patients, and more. The ESRD Networks are also assisting people to received dialysis services in the location to which they evacuated. CMS, through the ESRD Networks, has also advised people to keep an emergency supply kit on hand in a waterproof bag, containing important personal, medical, and insurance information; contact information for their dialysis facility; the ESRD Network hotline number; and contact information of those with whom they may stay or for out-of-state contacts. They have also been instructed to have on hand supplies to follow a three-day emergency diet.
The ESRD Network 6 (Georgia) toll-free hotline is 1-800- 524-7139 and ESRD Network 7 (Florida) toll-free hotline is 1-800-826-3773.
Additional information is available on the KCER website at: kcercoalition.com/.
Medical Equipment and Supplies Replacements: CMS will permit people with Medicare who have lost or realized damage to their durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies as a result of the hurricane to receive replacements of such items and services. This will help to ensure beneficiaries can continue to access the needed medical equipment and supplies they rely on each day. People with Medicare can contact 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) for assistance.
Health Information Privacy/ Civil Rights Accessibility Resources: During a PHE, the HHS Secretary may waive sanctions and penalties against a covered hospital that does not comply with certain provisions of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability act of 1996 (HIPAA) Privacy Rule in the emergency area and for the emergency period identified in the PHE declaration; to hospitals that have instituted a disaster protocol; and for up to 72 hours from the time the hospital implements its disaster protocol. The HHS Office for Civil Rights offers more information on HIPAA during emergency responses.
Recent natural disasters have demonstrated the importance of ensuring accessibility to health and human services for everyone living in the United States, including individuals in need of interpretation and translation services. To help first responders provide on-the-ground language assistance and communicate effectively during disasters and in accordance with federal civil rights laws, the HHS Office for Civil Rights offers a plain language checklist - PDF, including recommendations, specific action steps, resources, and tips such as to how to identify language needs in a disaster-impacted community to effectively utilizing interpreters. Additional information is available on the HHS OCR website.
CMS will continue to work with Florida, Georgia and those areas impacted by the hurricane. We encourage beneficiaries and providers of healthcare services that have been impacted to seek help by visiting CMS’ emergency webpage (www.cms.gov/emergency).
To find additional preparedness and response resources for the health sector and emergency management professionals, please visit: https://www.phe.gov/emergency/Tools/Pages/default.aspx.
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