Getting care & drugs in disasters or emergencies

The rules for getting care may change for a short time in areas where one of these has happened:

• The President has declared it an emergency or disaster. Visit the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), or call 1-800-621-FEMA (1-800-621-3362) to see if your area is affected (TTY: 1-800-462-7585).
• A governor has declared it an emergency or disaster. Visit your state government's official website to find out if your area is affected.
• The Secretary of the Department Of Health And Human Services (Hhs) has declared a public health emergency. Visit the HHS Public Health Emergency website. Or call us at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to find out if your area is affected.

Seeing your doctor in a disaster or emergency 

If you have

Original Medicare

, you may always see any doctor who accepts Medicare. If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan or other Medicare health plan, your plan may make temporary changes to its rules when health plan services get disrupted during an emergency or disaster. Read about how to see your doctor in a disaster or emergency.

Getting your prescriptions in a disaster or emergency

Find out what to do if you have a Medicare drug plan and you can’t get to your network pharmacy or you had to leave home without your prescription drugs.

Paying your premium in a disaster or emergency

If you're in a 

Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C)

, other 

Medicare Health Plan

, or 

Medicare Drug Plan (Part D)

, you're still responsible for paying your premium on time even in an emergency or disaster. Find out how to pay your premium in a disaster or emergency. 

Getting dialysis in a disaster or emergency

Your ESRD Network can help you find facilities that give dialysis services in the area where you're staying temporarily, but if you have a Medicare Advantage Plan or other Medicare health plan, you should check with them first. Find out how to get dialysis in a disaster or emergency.

Getting cancer treatments in a disaster or emergency

Find out how to get cancer treatments in a disaster or emergency.

Replacing a lost card in a disaster or emergency

Learn how to replace your Medicare card if it’s damaged or lost, and how to permanently or temporarily change your address.

Replacing lost or damaged equipment or supplies in a disaster or emergency

Find out how to replace lost or damaged durable medical equipment (DME).