Release Date: 10\/11\/2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Alert #2024-001<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The purpose of this alert is to inform QUAD A-accredited facilities about the announcement of Resources and Flexibilities provided by CMS in response to the recent declaration of Public Health Emergencies (PHE) due to hurricanes and tropical storms impacting the Southeastern United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has granted blanket waivers to several states affected by Hurricane Helene:<\/em><\/span> Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. This is in response to the public health emergency (PHE) declared as a result of Hurricane Helene (including Hurricane Milton for the State of Florida<\/span><\/span>). The waivers provide relief to certain Medicare providers from existing regulatory requirements for the duration of the public health emergency. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n CMS\u202fstands\u202fready\u202fto\u202fassist\u202fwith\u202fresources\u202fand\u202fwaivers\u202fto\u202fensure hospitals\u202fand\u202fother\u202ffacilities\u202fcan continue to operate and provide access to care to those impacted by the consequences of the\u202fhurricane. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The following is key information on resources for those affected and actions CMS is taking in response to the hurricane in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and South Carolina:<\/p>\n\n\n\n States of Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and South Carolina Waivers:\u202fCMS waivers are available to providers in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and South Carolina who have been affected by Hurricane Helene.\u202fA list of Blanket Waivers for each state can be found here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Healthcare providers who need additional flexibilities specific to the effects resulting from Hurricane Helene can submit a request to CMS by clicking here<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Additional information is available on the<\/span> KCER website.<\/a><\/p> Recent natural disasters have demonstrated the importance of ensuring accessibility to health and human services for everyone living in the United States, including individuals in need of interpretation and translation services. To help first responders provide on-the-ground, language assistance and communicate effectively during disasters and in accordance with federal civil rights laws, the HHS Office for Civil Rights offers a\u202fplain language checklist\u202f- PDF<\/a>, including recommendations, specific action steps, resources, and tips such as to how to identify language needs in a disaster-impacted community to effectively utilizing interpreters. Additional information is available on the\u202fHHS OCR website<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n CMS\u202fwill\u202fcontinue\u202fto\u202fwork\u202fwith\u202fFlorida, Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee and South Carolina and those areas impacted by the hurricane.\u202fWe encourage beneficiaries and providers of healthcare services that have been impacted to seek help by visiting the CMS emergency webpage.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n To\u202ffind\u202fadditional\u202fpreparedness\u202fand\u202fresponse\u202fresources\u202ffor\u202fthe\u202fhealth\u202fsector\u202fand\u202femergency management professionals, please visit:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
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