Medical Cost for Evacuees

Citation:

FEMA-3223-EM-UT; Utah Department of Human Services

Cross-reference:

Medical Costs; Sheltering

Summary:

The State of Utah Department of Human Services (Applicant) sheltered evacuees from Hurricane Katrina and Rita from September 4 through September 28, 2005, at Camp William. The Applicant provided medical treatment for the evacuees while they stayed at the mass shelter. Five of the evacuees were determined to need hospital care. Two of the evacuees were admitted to the Utah State Hospital and three were admitted to the State Development Center. The five patients continued to receive hospital care beyond the mass sheltering efforts of September 28, 2005. Project Worksheet (PW) #13 was written to reimburse the Applicant for the sheltering and the medical costs incurred while the mass shelter was operating. The hospital cost beyond September 28, 2005, for the five hospitalized evacuees, was deducted from the PW. The Applicant’s first appeal, submitted February 27, 2006, argues that the guidance it received from the Region VIII tracking report dated September 10, 2005, was that short term hospitalization was a reimbursable expense. FEMA Region VIII denied this appeal stating that guidance issued on September 9, 2005, clarified medical treatment, including hospitalization costs, was limited to the time the mass shelter was in operation. The Applicant submitted its second appeal May 2, 2006, contending the guidance was not issued in a timely manner and, therefore, the costs should be eligible.

Issues:

Are evacuee hospitalization costs eligible beyond the time a mass shelter is in operation?

Findings:

No.

Rationale:

Disaster Specific Guidance #2 – Hurricane Katrina, Eligible Cost for Emergency Sheltering Declarations, September 9, 2005

Hurricane Katrina, Fact Sheet, Frequently Asked Questions, Section 403 Sheltering