Skip to main content.

Getting Care During a Disaster

Getting care during a disaster: We've got you covered.

Learn what to do if the geographic area in which you or your caregiver live is declared a state of disaster or emergency.

Who declares a disaster or public health emergency?

  • The governor of your state, the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services or the President of the United States can declare a state of disaster or emergency in your geographic area
    • If the president declares a disaster, the Secretary of Health and Human Services may authorize waivers or modifications under Section 1135 of the Public Health Service Act

When does a disaster or public health emergency end?

The public health emergency or state of disaster ends after any of these occur:

  • The source that declared the public health emergency or state of disaster announces an end to the crisis
  • CMS declares that the public health emergency or state of disaster is over

You'll have access to your benefits during a public health emergency or disaster.

When one of these events is declared, and until it ends, we'll:

  • Temporarily reduce out-of-network facility cost-sharing amounts to in-network amounts
  • Waive referral requirements, where applicable
  • Make changes that benefit you, effective immediately, without the required 30-day notice 

For your Safety

We want to make sure you’re prepared when disasters strike. Here’s some information to help protect your family and your home before, during and after these disasters.

Winter Weather | Tornadoes | Flooding | Extreme Heat 

Emergencies and disasters can happen with little to no warning. By taking the time to prepare now, you and your family will be ready to respond at a moment’s notice. Here are four ways to prepare for an emergency or disaster:

Stock-up on Food and Water

Your water supply should include one gallon per person per day for both drinking and sanitation purposes. When stocking up on food, make sure it’s non-perishable -- foods that do not have to be refrigerated and can be stored at room temperature.

Examples include:

  • Canned and dried beans
  • Fruits and vegetables
  • Shelf-stable or non-dairy milk
  • Make sure you routinely replace expired items

Get a Battery-operated Radio

Our cell phones and televisions are our primary ways of receiving information these days, but a great alternative is a battery-operated radio when it comes to receiving emergency alerts. A battery-operated radio is especially helpful when the power goes out if you don’t have internet or cell connectivity. Have spare batteries available, too.

Maintain a First-Aid Kit and Secure Medications

It says it in the name. A first-aid kit is an important tool to have so you can immediately tend to injuries while waiting for professional medical attention. Items in a first-aid kit may contain bandages, gauze, gloves, wound-cleaning solutions and cold compresses. Storing your over-the-counter medications in a secure location that's easy to access can also be helpful.

Find a Safety Spot

Your non-perishable foods, water, battery-operated radio and first-aid kit should be stored in a designated cool, dry place. Make sure all family members know where the safety spot is. All items stocked for your emergency or disaster kit should be routinely evaluated to fit the needs of you and your loved ones. Knowing you have these items properly stocked and put away in your safe spot now can provide you with peace of mind later.

You can visit: https://www.medicare.gov/publications/11377-getting-care-and-drugs-in-a-disaster-or-emergency.pdf for information on how to obtain needed care during a disaster.

If you are a SummaCare member affected by disaster or a public health emergency, call Member Services at 330.996.8885 or toll-free at 800.996.6250 (711) to speak with a representative about the most up-to-date information for your state and county.

Disaster emergency resources:

CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/natural-disasters/

Weather: https://www.weather.gov/

American Red Cross: https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies.html

FEMA: https://www.fema.gov/

 

["https://enterprise.sapphirethreesixtyfive.com/?ci=SummaCareMedicare","https://enterprise.sapphirethreesixtyfive.com/?ci=SummaCareMedicare&network_id=15&geo_location=&locale=en","https://summacareweb.healthsparq.com/healthsparq/public/#/one/insurerCode=SCCR_I&brandCode=SCCR&productCode=PRODMC&postalCode","https://summacareweb.healthsparq.com/healthsparq/public/#/one/insurerCode=SCCR_I&brandCode=SCCR&productCode=PRODMC&postalCode=","https://summacareweb.healthsparq.com/healthsparq/public/#/one/insurerCode=SCCR_I&brandCode=SCCR&productCode=PRODMK&postalCode=","https://enterprise.sapphirethreesixtyfive.com/?ci=SummacareIndividual-Family","https://client.formularynavigator.com/Search.aspx?siteCode=3822601471","https://client.formularynavigator.com/Search.aspx?siteCode=7139238863","https://client.formularynavigator.com/Search.aspx?siteCode=3184374974","https://openenrollment.medimpact.com/#/plancode?SUM032021PL","https://openenrollment.medimpact.com/#/web/sum/pharmacy"]
[{"RootId":"a7b694b6-2900-400a-abd1-35cff4b9f3ce","RootUrl":"/medicare/understanding-medicare/glossary/"},{"RootId":"bb4c888a-5dd6-4576-bf4c-88afff4f77ef","RootUrl":"/medicare/understanding-medicare/faqs/"}]