Hawaiian Wildfires Public Health Emergency

August 23, 2023 On August 11, 2023, the Department of Health and Human Services declared a public health emergency in Hawaii due to the wildfires that began on August 8, 2023. Replacements for lost medical equipment and supplies The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service (CMS) is prepared to replace durable medical equipment, prosthetics, and…

August 23, 2023

On August 11, 2023, the Department of Health and Human Services declared a public health emergency in Hawaii due to the wildfires that began on August 8, 2023.

Replacements for lost medical equipment and supplies

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service (CMS) is prepared to replace durable medical equipment, prosthetics, and other medical supplies to those whose items were lost or damaged due to the disaster.  

Special Enrollment Periods for those affected by the wildfires

Individuals who are affected by weather-related emergencies, such as a wildfire disaster declared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, may be eligible for a Medicare Special Enrollment Period (SEP). SEPs due to major disasters and weather emergencies start on the first day of the incident (in this case, August 8, 2023) and run for four (4) months.  

To be eligible, you must be an individual who resided in the incident’s area when it began or a caretaker/ decision-maker for an individual that resided in the affected area.

What is a Medicare Special Enrollment Period?

A Special Enrollment Period is a window of time during which you can enroll in Medicare or change your Medicare healthcare coverage. SEPs are used for those who are enrolling in or changing Medicare coverage outside of a typical enrollment period, such as initial Medicare enrollment or Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period.

Learn more about qualifying for a Medicare Special Enrollment Period (SEP)

Read more information on CMS’s Disaster Preparedness Toolkit