When Wildfires Trigger Medicare Special Enrollment
California experiences some of the most devastating wildfires in the nation. When the President declares a major disaster or FEMA issues an emergency declaration for California counties, affected Medicare beneficiaries may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP).
A disaster SEP allows you to:
- Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan (or vice versa)
- Switch between Medicare Advantage plans
- Join, switch, or drop a Part D prescription drug plan
- Make these changes outside normal enrollment periods
Getting Your Medications After a Wildfire
If you’ve been evacuated or lost your medications in a fire, Medicare has emergency provisions:
- Emergency prescription refills: Your Part D plan must provide an emergency supply of medications (usually 30 days) even if it’s too early for a refill
- Out-of-network pharmacies: You can fill prescriptions at any pharmacy, not just in-network, during a declared disaster
- Relaxed prior authorization: Plans may waive prior authorization requirements for medications during emergencies
- Mail-order disruptions: If your mail-order pharmacy can’t deliver, your plan must help you access medications locally
Lost Your Medicare Card?
If your Medicare card was destroyed in a fire, you can request a replacement at Medicare.gov, through the Medicare app, or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE. You can also log in to get your Medicare number immediately while waiting for a new card.
Emergency Room and Hospital Coverage
During wildfire evacuations, Medicare covers emergency services at any hospital regardless of network status. This applies to both Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans. You cannot be charged more for going out-of-network during a genuine emergency.
Mental Health Support After Wildfires
Part B covers outpatient mental health services, including counseling for disaster-related anxiety, PTSD, and depression. California’s HICAP counselors can also help you navigate coverage issues that arise after a disaster.
Protecting Your Coverage Going Forward
- Keep a digital copy of your Medicare card (photo on your phone)
- Store a list of your medications, dosages, and prescribing doctors in a cloud-accessible location
- Know your plan’s emergency/disaster phone number
- If you relocate to a different California county after a fire, you qualify for a SEP to switch plans in your new area
Resources for Wildfire-Affected Medicare Beneficiaries
- 1-800-MEDICARE: 1-800-633-4227 (24/7)
- FEMA Helpline: 1-800-621-3362
- California HICAP: 1-800-434-0222
- California Office of Emergency Services: caloes.ca.gov
- Red Cross California: redcross.org