With all the unfortunate catastrophes caused by Hurricane Harvey, Irma, and Maria, individuals are approved for 2017 SEP (Special Enrollment Period) options for Medicare Advantage until December 31, 2017. CMS has permitted the opportunity to enroll, disenroll, or make a plan change to all hurricane victims in the affected areas.
“We remain committed to doing all we can to help support the areas and individuals affected by these historic and catastrophic hurricanes”
- states Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Seema Verma.
Not all victims are considered just residents of Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, Georgia, South Carolina, Florida, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands as declared in public health emergencies. This 2017 SEP opportunity is also available to non-residents of the states listed above if they rely on family members or friends to make their health care decisions that were affected by these devastations.
In order for members to be considered “affected” victims of these hurricane disasters, they must reside or resided in an area at the start of the incident declared as emergency major disaster by Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
This 2017 SEP gives members an additional opportunity to adjust their MA/PD or PDP plan in a circumstance that they were hindered during the regular Annual Election Period (AEP) from October 15th-December 7th by hurricane results.
Contact 1-800-MEDICARE to request enrollment using this SEP. CMS will provide all affected beneficiaries and members a SEP after December 8th when agents complete their application indicating “SEP-OTH” with “Weather Incident.”
CMS will continue to monitor the conditions of individuals in areas affected by hurricanes as December 31, 2017 approaches and make necessary changes.
If you or your clients need any help with the 2017 SEP options or have any questions, please give us a call at Tidewater Management Group (888) 622-9122.