CMS Declares Public Health Emergency for Hawaii Following Severe Storms

U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. declared a public health emergency for Hawaii on behalf of the Department of Health and Human Services in response to severe Kona-low storms that struck the state from March 10 to 24, causing flooding, landslides, and mudslides. The declaration, which is retroactive to March 10 and lasts up to 90 days unless extended, provides Medicare and Medicaid healthcare providers greater flexibility including modified telemedicine practices, temporary personnel appointments, and adjusted reimbursement for certain Part B drugs. The emergency follows President Trump's federal emergency declaration that made funding available for response and recovery efforts. HHS's Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response provided access to its emPOWER database to help identify Medicare beneficiaries relying on electricity-dependent medical equipment and critical health services by zip code, while a 24/7 Disaster Distress Helpline (1-800-985-5990) offers crisis counseling to storm victims.

Federal Public Health Emergency Declaration and Flexibilities

• ▪The Hawaii public health emergency declaration addresses health impacts caused by severe back-to-back storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides that occurred from March 10 to 24.
• ▪The Hawaii public health emergency declaration includes adjustment of Medicare reimbursement for certain Part B drugs.
• ▪The Hawaii public health emergency declaration allows temporary appointments of personnel.
• ▪The Hawaii public health emergency declaration provides federal providers and suppliers greater flexibility in meeting emergency health care needs of Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries.
• ▪The Hawaii public health emergency declaration is retroactive to March 10.
• ▪President Trump declared a federal emergency for Hawaii, which made federal funding available for ongoing response and recovery efforts.
• ▪The Hawaii public health emergency declaration lasts for the duration of the emergency or 90 days, unless extended by the Secretary.
• ▪U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. signed the public health emergency declaration for Hawaii.
• ▪The Hawaii public health emergency declaration allows modified practice of telemedicine.
• ▪The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared a public health emergency for the state of Hawaii due to the impacts of Kona-low storms in March.

Support for Vulnerable Medicare and Medicaid Beneficiaries

• ▪The HHS emPOWER database includes the number of Medicare beneficiaries who rely on certain health care services such as dialysis, oxygen tanks, or home health care by zip code.
• ▪The HHS emPOWER database has in past years informed planning, response, and recovery efforts to quickly address the needs of at-risk residents in disaster-impacted areas.
• ▪The HHS emPOWER database includes the number of Medicare beneficiaries who rely on electricity-dependent durable medical equipment by zip code.
• ▪HHS' Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response provided access to its emPOWER database to support Hawaii state and local response efforts.

Federal Resources and Crisis Support Services

• ▪The Disaster Distress Helpline number is 1-800-985-5990 for calls or texts to connect with a trained counselor.
• ▪A toll-free Disaster Distress Helpline is available for crisis counseling 24/7 in multiple languages for Hawaii storm victims.
• ▪ASPR Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary John Knox stated that ASPR is working closely with federal, state, and local partners to support Hawaii's recovery efforts.

Perspective of Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

• ▪The Hawaii public health emergency declaration enables healthcare providers to prioritize patient care over administrative requirements during the disaster response.

Perspective of Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response

• ▪ASPR's emPOWER database enables responders to locate Medicare beneficiaries dependent on electricity for medical equipment during Hawaii power outages.

Perspective of Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries in Hawaii

• ▪Medicare beneficiaries in Hawaii affected by the March storms can access healthcare services through modified telemedicine arrangements under the emergency declaration.

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