HHS waives certain requirements for Puerto Rico due to hurricane

Sep 21, 2022 - 04:02 PM
hurricane

Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra yesterday declared a public health emergency in Puerto Rico due to flooding from Hurricane Fiona, and waived or modified certain Medicare, Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program requirements to ensure sufficient health care items and services are available.

HHS and the Federal Emergency Management Agency have deployed medical and emergency management teams to Puerto Rico, and HHS’ National Disaster Medical System, Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are prepared to provide additional support if needed. The territory also is using HHS’ data to help respond to the needs of Medicare beneficiaries who rely on electricity-dependent medical equipment and services. 
 
 

Related News Articles

Headline
AHA comments on draft bill to increase Medicare-funded physician residency slots
The AHA Jan. 31 commended Sens. Bill Cassidy, R-La., Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., John Cornyn, R-Texas., and Michael Bennet, D-Colo., on draft legislation…
Perspective
When Disasters Strike, Hospitals Are Always There to Care for and Stand Up for their Communities
When a man sped his pickup truck down a New Orleans street on New Year’s Day killing 14 people and injuring more than 30, area hospitals and health…
Headline
Administration rescinds memo pausing federal grants, loans and other financial assistance programs
The White House Office of Management and Budget Jan. 29 rescinded a memo it issued two days earlier directing federal agencies to temporarily pause federal…
Headline
KFF: MA insurers made nearly 50 million prior authorization determinations in 2023
An analysis by KFF released Jan. 28 found that Medicare Advantage insurers made nearly 50 million prior authorization determinations in 2023. The finding…
Headline
White House pauses federal grants, other programs implicated by executive orders; OMB says Medicare and Medicaid not affected by pause
The White House Office of Management and Budget late Jan. 27 issued a memo directing federal agencies to temporarily pause federal grants, loans and other…
Headline
AHA supports policy, technical changes to Medicare Advantage, Part D for 2026
The AHA Jan. 27 voiced support for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services proposed rule on policy and technical changes to Medicare Advantage and…