Helene Public Health Emergency
As a result of the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has determined that a Public Health Emergency (PHE) has existed in Tennessee since September 26, 2024.
This PHE declaration followed federal emergency declarations for Tennessee and other impacted states. PHE declarations give HHS and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS), health care providers and suppliers greater flexibility in meeting emergency health needs of all impacted individuals, including Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries.
Details of these healthcare provider waivers and flexibilities under federal health programs can be accessed at this website:
https://www.cms.gov/about-cms/what-we-do/emergency-response/current-emergencies
Healthcare 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
In addition, while the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) Privacy Rule is not suspended during a public health or other emergency, HHS has waived certain provisions of the HIPAA Privacy Rule to allow patient information to be shared to assist in disaster relief efforts, and to assist patients in receiving the care they need. Details explaining how limited HIPAA waivers apply and the PHE duration can be accessed at this website:
Additional details on public health emergency flexibilities under federal law and regulations can be accessed here:
Additional Public Health Emergency Information following Hurricane Helene for Filling Prescription Medicines; Healthcare Providers
On Sept. 27, 2024 Gov. Bill Lee issued Executive Order 105, which included a directive allowing pharmacists to distribute a 30-day supply of a prescription "without proper authorization" to those impacted by severe weather in Tennessee. This does not apply to controlled substances, but will help ensure maintenance medications can be provided to those who need them.
Any pharmacy should be able to refill certain medications for up to 30 days during the state of emergency. This means if your normal pharmacy is closed, you can go to the closest one that’s open for a 30-day refill. If you had to evacuate and don’t have your prescriptions, RxOpen.org provides information on open pharmacies in areas impacted by disasters.
Prescription refill flexibilities should also be available to Medicare and TennCare beneficiaries.
If you have a Medicare prescription drug plan, it is recommended you contact your plan to find an in-network pharmacy, according to Medicare.gov. The contact information should be on your plan membership card, but if you do not have the card with you, you can call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to find your plan's number. You can also contact your plan for help replacing lost or damaged prescription medications.
A local pharmacist may also be of assistance filling your Medicare prescriptions.
Where Medicare beneficiaries are displaced from their place of residence and cannot be reasonably expected to obtain covered Part D drugs at a network pharmacy, the Medicare program is working with drug plan sponsors to assure that their enrollees have adequate access to drugs dispensed at out-of-network pharmacies.
TRICARE beneficiaries in Tennessee may receive emergency prescription refills now through Oct. 7, 2024, due to Hurricane Helene:
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) made available accelerated payments to Medicare Part A providers and advance payments to Medicare Part B suppliers affected by Hurricane Helene beginning October 2, 2024:
More information is available at: https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/news-alert/cms-provide-hurricane-helene-public-health-emergency-accelerated-payments-medicare-fee-services