Medicare Belongs in Older Clients' Disaster Planning

What You Need to Know

After a disaster, Medicare benefits may be much more flexible.
Filling prescriptions could get easier.
If clients have to evacuate, the more coverage information they have, the better.

As the dog days of summer draw to a close, extreme weather-related events, including the peak of hurricane season, loom ominously for many Americans.

For Medicare beneficiaries, understanding how their coverage applies during natural disasters and making plans to mitigate disaster-related health challenges are crucial aspects of disaster preparedness.

The Question:

How does Medicare coverage apply in the wake of a natural disaster, and what special provisions or assistance might be available for beneficiaries?

The Answer:

Firstly, during a declared emergency or disaster, Medicare coverage still applies.

The regular benefits offered under the Medicare Part A hospitalization plan, the Medicare Part B physician and outpatient services plan, and the Medicare Part D prescription drug program are available to beneficiaries, ensuring that they continue to have access to critical health services and prescriptions.

During an emergency, there might be extra flexibility in Medicare’s policies.

For example, if your clients are evacuated from their homes and do not have access to their regular networks of doctors, Medicare may cover the care those clients receive from the out-of-network provider at the same cost as if your clients were using in-network providers.

Prescriptions and Part D Coverage

Medicare Part D also has special provisions for assisting beneficiaries during a disaster.

When a state of emergency is declared, a “grievance procedure” goes into effect. The grievance procedure can allow for a “refill-too-soon override.”

This means that clients with Medicare Part D coverage can get emergency supplies of their medications ahead of time.