Before you leave
- Take your medicines in their original containers, in a waterproof bag.
- Take a list: each drug's name, dose, prescriber and pharmacy. Take a photo of it with your phone too.
- Take your cards, Medicare and your plan's (or photos of them).
- Try to refill early. Florida law (Fla. Stat. 252.358) requires insurers and HMOs licensed by the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation to allow it when your county is under a hurricane warning, a Governor's state of emergency, or has activated its emergency operations center, if you have refills left. The law doesn't mention Medicare; with Part D or Medicare Advantage, call your plan. See early refills before a hurricane.
Where to fill prescriptions after you evacuate
Medicare.gov says that if you live in an area with a declared emergency or disaster, your plan can help you:
- find another network pharmacy near where you are. Most prescriptions can move from one network pharmacy to another, and back to yours when the emergency ends. Tell the new pharmacy the name of your regular pharmacy and which drugs you need;
- replace lost or damaged medicines, or ones you couldn't take with you when you evacuated;
- use an out-of-network pharmacy when you can't reasonably get to one in network. You'll probably pay full price: keep the receipts and ask the plan to pay you back;
- get a 60- to 90-day supply if you think you won't return home for a long time.
In 2017 guidance to Part D plans, CMS said that after a presidential disaster declaration it expects them to lift "refill too soon" limits while the declaration lasts.
Step by step if you evacuate
- Call your plan. The number is on your card; if you lost it, 1-800-MEDICARE can give it to you.
- Ask for a network pharmacy where you're staying, whether in another Florida county or another state.
- Show your medicine list at the new pharmacy.
- Keep every receipt if you pay out of pocket.
Keep paying your plan premium: Medicare.gov says premiums are still due in a disaster. More in hurricanes and Medicare in Florida.
Related questions
Can I get prescriptions refilled early before a hurricane?
Florida's refill law and Medicare drug plans.
What should dialysis patients do in a hurricane?
Your center's plan and ESRD Network 7.
Is there a special enrollment period after a hurricane?
Who qualifies and when it ends.
Sources
- Medicare.gov — Getting care in a disaster or emergency
- Medicare.gov — Getting drugs in a disaster or emergency
- Florida Statutes — s. 252.358, emergency-preparedness prescription medication refills
- CMS — Pharmacy Access During a Federal Disaster or Other Public Health Emergency Declaration: Q&As for Part D Plan Sponsors
More questions in this guide
- What should dialysis patients on Medicare do during a Florida hurricane?
- Can I get my prescriptions refilled early before a hurricane in Florida?
- What is Florida's special needs registry and should people on Medicare sign up?
- Does Medicare replace oxygen and medical equipment lost in a hurricane?
- Is there a Medicare special enrollment period after a hurricane in Florida?
Part of the guide: Hurricanes and Your Medicare in Florida · All questions
Frequently asked questions
I lost my plan card when I evacuated. How do I call my plan?
Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227; TTY 1-877-486-2048) and they'll give you your plan's phone number. You can also look up your plan's contact information on Medicare.gov.
If I pay full price at an out-of-network pharmacy, will I get money back?
Keep the receipts and ask your plan to pay you back. Medicare.gov says the plan can refund what you paid beyond your in-network cost sharing, but not the extra out-of-network cost-sharing amount.
Can I refill my prescriptions before I leave?
Florida law (Fla. Stat. 252.358) requires state-licensed insurers and HMOs to allow early refills under a hurricane warning or emergency, if you have refills left. It doesn't mention Medicare, so call your Medicare drug plan before you leave.
Medicare in your Florida county
Plans, local agents and help, county by county: Miami-Dade · Broward · Palm Beach · Hillsborough · Orange · Duval · Pinellas · Lee · Polk · Pasco · Brevard · Volusia · Seminole · Sarasota · Osceola · Manatee · Lake · Marion · Collier · St. Lucie · All 67 counties →
