CMS Hurricane Season Guidance
Hurricane Season
“An above-normal 2020 Atlantic hurricane season is expected, according to forecasters with NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, a division of the National Weather Service. The outlook predicts a 60% chance of an above-normal season, a 30% chance of a near-normal season and only a 10% chance of a below-normal season. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30.”
What if we hear that there was a hurricane that impacted our clients?
“An SEP exists for individuals affected by a weather-related emergency or major disaster who were unable to and did not make an election during another valid election period as a result of the emergency or major disaster.
This includes both enrollment and disenrollment elections. Individuals will be considered “affected” and eligible for this SEP if they:
- Reside, or resided at the start of the incident period, in an area for which FEMA has declared an emergency or a major disaster and has designated affected counties as being eligible to apply for individual or public level assistance;
- Had another valid election period at the time of the incident period; and
- Did not make an election during that other valid election period. In addition, the SEP is available to those individuals who do not live in the affected areas but rely on help making healthcare decisions from friends or family members who live in the affected areas.
The SEP is available from the start of the incident period and for four full calendar months after the start of the incident period.
You Cannot Use the SEP for Service Area Reductions Until December 8
When completing Medicare Advantage applications, you cannot use the SEP for SAR’s until that enrollment period opens. If an individual losing their plan wants to apply for a new plan during AEP, use the election period code AEP. The Special Enrollment Period for discontinued plans (or Service Area Reductions) will start on December 8 and continue through February 28, with your new plan coverage beginning on the first day of the month following enrollment.
Further, an eligible beneficiary would be given one opportunity to make that missed election as a result of this SEP. Beneficiaries will not be expected to provide proof that they were affected by the pandemic-related emergency.
Beneficiaries can contact 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) anytime, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with any questions. TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048. They can submit their enrollment request through 1-800-MEDICARE, their agent/broker, or by contacting the Medicare health or prescription drug plan directly.”
Read more about agency disaster preparedness here.
To find out if FEMA has declared a disaster area, CLICK HERE.
Exercise Starter Kit for Preparedness in a Pandemic, CLICK HERE.
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