CMS Offers Washington Wildfire Healthcare Flexibility

WASHINGTON—The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced additional resources and flexibilities available in response to a public health emergency (PHE) in Washington state due to emergency conditions resulting from major wildfires, including the Fairview, Autumn Lane and Old Trails fires near Spokane County beginning Aug.1. 

CMS said it is working closely with Washington state and federal partners to put flexibilities in place to ensure those thousands of residents affected by this natural disaster have access to needed care.

On Aug. 7, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. declared the PHE.

CMS said it will assist with resources and waivers to ensure hospitals and other facilities can continue to operate and provide access to care for those impacted by the Washington state wildfires. The following is key information on resources for those affected and actions CMS is taking.

Medical Equipment & Supplies Replacements

CMS will permit people with Medicare who have lost or realized damage to their durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies because of the wildfires to receive replacements of such items and services. This will help to ensure beneficiaries can continue to access the needed medical equipment and supplies they rely on each day. People with Medicare can contact (800) 633-4227 for assistance.

Washington Waivers

CMS’ blanket waivers and other flexibilities are available to affected providers in Washington state who have been affected by the wildfires—retroactively from Aug. 1. Healthcare providers in need of additional flexibility specific to the effects resulting from the Washington state wildfires can submit a request to CMS here: CMS 1135 Waiver/Flexibility Request and Inquiry Form.

Disaster Toolkit & Support for State Medicaid & CHIP Agencies

To prepare for current and future disasters, CMS developed an inventory of Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) flexibilities and authorities available to states in the event of a disaster to support Medicaid and CHIP operations and ensure continuity of coverage for people served through Medicaid and CHIP programs during times of crisis. For more information and to access the inventory and toolkit, visit medicaid.gov/resources-for-states/disaster-response-toolkit/index.html.

Dialysis Care

CMS is helping people obtain and maintain access to critical life-saving services by activating the Kidney Community Emergency Response (KCER) program and working with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Network 16, which is responsible under a contract with CMS for assessing the status of dialysis facilities in potentially impacted areas of Spokane County. This includes assessing impacts related to generators, alternate water supplies, providing education and materials for patients and more. ESRD Network 16 is also assisting people in receiving dialysis services in Spokane County—locations in which residents have been evacuated. 

CMS, through Network 16, advises people to keep an emergency supply kit on hand in a waterproof bag containing important personal, medical and insurance information; contact information for their dialysis facility; the ESRD Network hotline number; and contact information of those with whom they may stay or for out-of-state contacts. They have also been instructed to have on-hand supplies to follow a three-day emergency diet. The ESRD Network 16 (Washington state) toll-free hotline is (800) 232-3773. Additional information is available on the KCER website at kcercoalition.com.

Recent natural disasters have demonstrated the importance of ensuring accessibility to health and human services for everyone living in the United States, including individuals in need of interpretation and translation services. To help first responders provide on the ground language assistance and communicate effectively during disasters and in accordance with federal civil rights laws, the HHS Office for Civil Rights offers a plain language checklist—PDF, including recommendations, specific action steps, resources and tips such as to how to identify language needs in a disaster-impacted community to effectively utilize interpreters. Additional information is available on the HHS OCR website.

CMS said it will continue to work with Washington state, and those areas impacted by the wildfires. The agency added it encourages beneficiaries and providers of healthcare services that have been impacted to seek help by visiting CMS’ emergency webpage.

To find additional preparedness and response resources for the health sector and emergency management professionals, visit aspr.gov/about/law-policy-strategy/emergency-declarations/declarations-public-health-emergency/frequently-asked-questions.