An abbreviated list of hurricane Web sites, phone numbers and links to information from government agencies, AAHomecare, state associations, buying groups and charitable organizations follows.
CHARITABLE DONATIONS
American Red Cross:
(800) HELP-NOW (435-7669) www.redcross.org
Home Care Donation Site:
https://secure2.convio.net/arc/site/Donation?ACTION=SHOW_DONATION_OPTIONS&CAMPAIGN_ID=1783
To find missing loved ones: (877) LOVED-1S (568-3317)
Salvation Army:
(800) SAL-ARMY (725-2769) www.salvationarmyusa.org
United Way:
(800) 272-4630
national.unitedway.org
GOVERNMENT INFORMATION
U.S. Federal Emergency Management Association
(FEMA):
www.fema.gov
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services:
www.hhs.gov/emergency/hurricane.html
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS):
Hurricane Q&A: www.cms.hhs.gov/hki
CMS actions to help beneficiaries and providers: www.cms.hhs.gov/media/press/release.asp?Counter=1546
Palmetto GBA/Region C DMERC:
www.palmettogba.com
Voice Response Unit: (866) 238-9650
CSR: (866) 270-4909
U.S. Federal Government Katrina Recovery/FirstGov:
http://www.firstgov.gov/Citizen/Topics/PublicSafety/Hurricane_Katrina_Recovery.shtml
Alabama Emergency Management Agency:
http://ema.alabama.gov
Louisiana Homeland Security and Emergency
Preparedness:
www.ohsep.louisiana.gov
Mississippi Emergency Management Agency:
http://www.mema.ms.gov
Texas Department of Emergency Management (requesting
wheelchairs to be sent to the Houston Astrodome):
Duty hours: (512) 424-2138
Non-duty hours: (512) 424-2000
ASSOCIATIONS AND BUYING GROUPS
American Association for Homecare:
www.aahomecare.org
The Med Group:
www.medgroup.com
The VGM Group:
www.vgm.com
www.hmehurricane.com
Alabama Durable Medical Equipment Association
(ADMEA):
www.admea.net
Medical Equipment Suppliers Association (MESA) (Arkansas,
Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas):
(800) 722-2310 general number; providers check in at (225)
761-2764
www.mesanet.org
Mississippi Association of Medical Equipment Suppliers
(MAMES):
(601) 932-1001