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Getting Care During a Disaster

Getting Care During a Disaster or Emergency

Florida Blue Medicare will take immediate action when either:

  • The Secretary of Health and Human Services declares a public health emergency, or
  • A governor or the U.S. President declares a disaster or other type of emergency.

Members living in affected areas can still get the medical care and prescription drugs they need. We work fast to help members during a state of emergency or disaster declaration. When it’s in members’ best interest for us to do so, we won’t wait for the usual 30 days’ required notice to make these changes. We’ll get right on it.

Medicare Advantage

  • We will cover Medicare Parts A, B and supplemental Part C plan benefits at non-network hospitals and other medical facilities.
  • Members will not need to have a referral from their primary care doctor (PCP) for treatment. If a provider accepts Medicare or is a Medicare-certified facility, we’ll cover the service. This includes dialysis services.
  • Members will pay in-network cost sharing even if they use out-of-network providers.

These actions will remain in effect until either:

  • The governor, HHS Secretary, or President declares the public health emergency or disaster has ended, or
  • 30 days have passed since the disaster or emergency was declared and no end date was given.

Medicare Part D

  • For Medicare Advantage plan members with prescription drug coverage, or members with a standalone Rx (PDP) plan.
  • When a state of emergency is declared, Florida Blue will temporarily allow affected members to get an early refill of their medications and maximum extended-day supplies from in-network pharmacy providers, nationwide.
  • Members who use out-of-network pharmacies may not have prescription coverage. If you can’t access your usual network pharmacy, call us at the number on the back of your Florida Blue ID card. Our Member Services team will help you find a network pharmacy for you to use. If there is not a network pharmacy reasonably available for you to use, you will be able to use an out-of-network pharmacy. However, the cost for your prescription drugs may be higher.
  • Does your medicine need our approval before you can fill it? Call us at the number on the back of your Florida Blue member ID card for help.

Members can get early refills of prescription drugs and maximum extended-day supplies for:

  • Up to 30 days after the start of an emergency or disaster declaration issued by a governor or U.S. president, unless it ends sooner, or
  • Up to 90 days after the start of a public health emergency declared by the HHS Secretary.

If Florida Blue Medicare Offices Are Impacted

If the disaster or state of emergency affects Florida Blue Medicare’s offices and we cannot resume operations by the end of the disaster or emergency, we’ll notify the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). We’ll also update our Florida Blue website when we’re able to do so with information about our business activities and hours of operation.

We'll Keep You Updated

We’ll keep you updated with important information online. Visit floridablue.com/medicare for the latest information about using your health or prescription drug benefits during a disaster or state of emergency. For round-the-clock information about benefits, in-network providers, and more:

  • Log in to your account at floridablue.com/medicare.
  • Download the Florida Blue mobile app on Google Play or iTunes.
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Last Updated: 10.01.2020
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