Living on Florida’s Gulf Coast means hurricane preparation is part of life. Most families know to think about water, food, batteries and evacuation plans—but Medicare beneficiaries have another important checklist to consider: prescriptions, medical equipment, insurance information and access to care.
That preparation can be especially important for seniors in Tampa Bay, Apollo Beach, Riverview, Brandon, Bradenton, Sarasota and surrounding Gulf Coast communities. A hurricane or other emergency can temporarily close pharmacies, interrupt transportation, force an evacuation or separate someone from the medical equipment and medications they normally use.
Medicare has specific procedures designed to help beneficiaries continue receiving care during declared emergencies and disasters. Florida law can also provide additional prescription-refill protections when certain emergency conditions are in effect. Florida Department of Health
Here are some practical steps Florida Medicare beneficiaries and their families should understand before the next storm approaches.
1. Don't Wait Until the Last Minute to Think About Prescriptions
Prescription medications should be part of your hurricane preparations—particularly if you take medications every day.
Florida law provides special protections for early prescription refills under certain emergency conditions. The Florida Department of Health explains that insurers, managed-care organizations and other covered entities must comply with state emergency-refill requirements when applicable.
For example, Florida's emergency-refill rules can require applicable plans to waive normal timing restrictions, including certain “refill too soon” restrictions, so eligible residents can obtain medication in advance when specified emergency conditions are met. Florida Department of Health
These protections aren't a reason to wait for an emergency declaration, however.
Before hurricane conditions develop, make a current list of your prescriptions, dosages, pharmacy information and prescribing physicians. Keep that information somewhere you can access even if you're away from home.
2. Medicare Drug Plans Can Help During a Declared Disaster
If you have Medicare prescription drug coverage and live in an area declared an emergency or disaster, Medicare recommends contacting your drug plan if you need assistance obtaining medication.
Your plan may be able to help you:
Locate another in-network pharmacy.
Transfer most prescriptions to another in-network pharmacy.
Replace medication that was lost or damaged.
Replace medication you couldn't take with you during an evacuation.
Understand your options if you can't reasonably reach an in-network pharmacy. Medicare
If you must use an out-of-network pharmacy, Medicare notes that you may initially have to pay the full cost of the prescription. Save your receipts. Your plan can explain whether reimbursement is available and how to submit a claim. Medicare
For someone evacuating from the Tampa Bay area to another part of Florida—or even another state—that information could become extremely useful.
3. Ask About an Extended Supply When Appropriate
If a storm could keep you away from home for an extended period, Medicare recommends asking your prescription drug plan whether a 60- or 90-day supply of your medications is available and which pharmacies you can use to obtain it. Medicare
Not every medication or situation will qualify, so don't assume an extended supply is automatically available.
Instead, contact your plan or pharmacy before the storm and determine what's permitted for your medications.
This can be particularly important for people managing chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease or other illnesses requiring consistent medication.
4. Protect Your Medicare and Insurance Information
You don't necessarily need to carry every insurance document you own when evacuating.
But you should have access to the information needed to identify your coverage.
Consider keeping secure copies of:
Your Medicare information.
Medicare Advantage or Part D plan information, if applicable.
Your prescription list.
Your physicians' contact information.
Your preferred pharmacy.
Important medical conditions and allergies.
Emergency contacts.
If your Original Medicare card is lost or damaged, Medicare says you can use your secure Medicare account to print or order an official replacement.
If you've lost a Medicare Advantage or prescription drug plan card, contact your plan for a replacement. You can also contact Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) for assistance. Medicare
Keep this information secure. Medicare information shouldn't be left somewhere easily accessible to strangers.
5. What Happens If Medical Equipment Is Lost or Damaged?
Hurricanes and flooding can damage more than homes.
Wheelchairs, walkers, oxygen equipment, diabetic supplies and other durable medical equipment can also be lost or damaged.
Medicare has procedures addressing replacement of certain durable medical equipment and supplies during declared disasters and emergencies. For Original Medicare beneficiaries, Medicare advises contacting the supplier that originally provided the equipment when possible. Medicare also provides disaster-specific assistance for replacing qualifying equipment or supplies for which Medicare previously paid. Medicare
Medicare Advantage beneficiaries should contact their individual plan to understand the plan's procedures during an emergency.
If you depend on medical equipment that requires electricity, make that part of your emergency planning well before a storm arrives.
6. What About Dialysis, Cancer Treatment or Other Ongoing Care?
Some medical treatments can't simply wait until the power comes back on.
Medicare provides disaster guidance for beneficiaries who need ongoing services such as dialysis or cancer treatment.
For example, Original Medicare beneficiaries receiving cancer treatment may contact the National Cancer Institute for assistance locating another cancer-care provider. Medicare Advantage beneficiaries should contact their plan to understand the plan's emergency procedures for obtaining cancer treatment. Medicare
People receiving dialysis should similarly plan ahead with their dialysis facility and understand where treatment could be obtained if evacuation becomes necessary.
If you depend on recurring treatment, one of the most valuable questions you can ask before a storm is:
“Where do I go if my normal facility closes?”
7. A Disaster Can Sometimes Affect Medicare Enrollment Deadlines
This is a Medicare rule many beneficiaries don't know about.
If a federally, state or locally declared emergency or disaster prevents you from enrolling or making a Medicare change during another enrollment period for which you were eligible, you may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.
Medicare says an affected beneficiary may potentially receive additional time to join, switch or drop a Medicare Advantage or Medicare drug plan. Separate disaster-related rules can also provide enrollment relief involving Part A or Part B in qualifying circumstances. Medicare
This doesn't mean every hurricane automatically gives every Florida Medicare beneficiary an extra enrollment period.
The emergency must meet applicable requirements, and your circumstances matter.
If a disaster interferes with a Medicare enrollment deadline, contact 1-800-MEDICARE rather than assuming you've permanently missed your opportunity.
Hurricane Season Overlaps an Important Medicare Season
There's another reason this matters for Florida seniors.
Medicare Annual Enrollment runs from October 15 through December 7 each year—the same general period when Florida can still experience tropical weather.
If a major storm disrupts mail, electricity, internet access or transportation during Medicare enrollment season, don't assume you have no options.
Keep your Medicare information accessible and contact Medicare if an officially declared emergency prevents you from completing an enrollment action you otherwise could have made.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I refill prescriptions early before a Florida hurricane?
Under qualifying emergency conditions, Florida law can require applicable insurers and health entities to waive certain prescription-refill timing restrictions. The exact circumstances matter, so check with your pharmacy and plan. Florida Department of Health
What if I evacuate and can't reach my normal pharmacy?
Medicare says your drug plan can help locate an in-network pharmacy and transfer most prescriptions. In certain circumstances, an out-of-network pharmacy may also be an option, although you may have to pay upfront and request reimbursement. Medicare
What if my medication is lost during a hurricane?
If you have Medicare drug coverage and live in a declared emergency or disaster area, contact your plan. Medicare says plans can assist with replacing lost or damaged medications. Medicare
What if my wheelchair or other medical equipment is damaged?
Medicare has disaster procedures for replacing certain Medicare-paid durable medical equipment and supplies. Original Medicare beneficiaries can contact their supplier or Medicare; Medicare Advantage beneficiaries should contact their plan. Medicare
Can a hurricane give me extra time to change Medicare plans?
Possibly. If a qualifying declared disaster or emergency prevented you from using another Medicare enrollment period for which you were eligible, you may qualify for a disaster-related Special Enrollment Period. Eligibility depends on the specific circumstances. Medicare
Make Medicare Part of Your Florida Hurricane Plan
For Florida seniors, hurricane preparedness isn't only about protecting the house.
It's also about protecting access to medications, medical care, medical equipment and insurance information.
A little preparation before a storm can make navigating your Medicare coverage much easier if normal pharmacies, doctors or services are temporarily disrupted.
If you live in Tampa Bay, Apollo Beach, Riverview, Brandon, Bradenton, Sarasota or elsewhere along Florida's Gulf Coast and have questions about your Medicare coverage, My Local Coverage is here to help.
Visit My Local Coverage or call (813) 608-0986 for personalized help.
Summary
Florida hurricane preparation should include Medicare coverage as well as traditional emergency supplies. Beneficiaries should keep an updated medication list, know how to contact their Medicare Advantage or Part D plan, protect their insurance information and have a plan for ongoing medical treatments and durable medical equipment.
During qualifying emergencies, Florida law can provide early-refill protections, while Medicare drug plans can assist with replacing lost medications or locating another pharmacy. A declared disaster may also create a Special Enrollment Period in certain circumstances when the emergency prevented a beneficiary from using another Medicare enrollment opportunity.
