Wildfires

California wildfires (2018)

Secretary Azar used his authority in the Public Health Service Act to declare a public health emergency (PHE) in California on November 13, 2018, giving us the flexibility to support our beneficiaries, effective November 8, 2018. Effective, February 6, 2019, the PHE was extended for 90 days.

• California wildfires 1812(f) SNF waiver (PDF)
• California wildfires 1135 waiver (PDF)
• California wildfires 1135 waiver letter (PDF)
• California wildfires Medicaid 1135 waiver letter

Read the blanket waivers (PDF) for California wildfires. 

You can also see:

• Our MLN Matters article, "Medicare Fee-for-Service (FFS) Response to the 2018 California Wildfires (PDF)" (PDF)

Southern & Northern California wildfires (2017)

Southern California has four large wildfires that continue to impact people and homes. The Thomas Fire in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties is the fifth largest fire in California history. These fires affected critical cellular and public safety communications infrastructure, power transmission and distribution lines, high-pressure natural gas lines, and oil wells. Additionally, the watershed for the cities of Ojai and Ventura were impacted. A Public Health Emergency (PHE) Declaration and a Social Security Act waiver were issued for California on December 11, 2017, with a finding that a public health emergency existed beginning on December 4, 2017. This PHE declaration and waiver authority for the Southern California wildfires expired on March 3, 2018.

Northern California wildfires burned across several California counties, threatening the lives of tens of thousands of people. A Public Health Emergency (PHE) Declaration and a Social Security Act waiver were issued for California on October 15, 2017, with a finding that a public health emergency existed beginning on October 8, 2017. This PHE declaration and waiver authority for the Northern California wildfires expired on January 5, 2018.

Documents:

• February 5, 2018_Southern CA Section 1135 Waiver for provider enrollment (PDF)
• Extension of Medicare Special Enrollment Period for individuals affected by hurricanes in Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands and California wildfires (PDF)
• December 11, 2017 Public Health Emergency Declaration and Social Security Act Waiver for California (PDF)
• December 13, 2017 findings concerning Section 1812(f) of the Social Security Act for Southern California (PDF)
• November 22, 2017 IFC Fact Sheet (PDF)  
• October 15, 2017 Public Health Declaration and Social Security Act Waiver for California (PDF)
• Findings concerning Section 1812(f) of the Social Security Act for California (PDF)
• Medicaid provider enrollment flexibilities under Section 1135 (PDF)
• October 18, 2017 letter to California hospital association (PDF)
• Emergencies and major disasters – additional opportunities to join, drop or switch Medicare Health and Prescription Drug Plans & other guidance (PDF)
• Medicare enrollment Qs & As (PDF)
• Memo: Applicability of reporting requirements for certain health care facilities affected by California wildfires – updated December 11, 2017 (PDF)
• Applicability of reporting requirements for Acute Care Hospitals, Inpatient Psychiatric Facilities, Skilled Nursing Facilities, Home Health Agencies, Hospices, Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities, Long-Term Care Hospitals, Renal Dialysis Facilities, Ambulatory Surgical Centers, and MIPS eligible clinicians affected by California wildfires (FEMA DR-4353) – February 8, 2018 (PDF)

Related links:

• CMS announces special enrollment periods for Americans impacted by recent hurricanes
• CMS waives provider enrollment and screening requirements in California during wildfire recovery efforts
• MLN Matters article: Medicare Fee-for-Service (FFS) Response to the 2017 California Wildfires (PDF)
• MLN Matters article: Medicare Fee-for-Service (FFS) Response to the 2017 Southern California Wildfires (PDF)