Care during a disaster

In many cases, during a declared disaster or emergency, you can get care from out-of-network providers at in-network rates. Here are some general guidelines based on your specific Medicare coverage.

If you have Original Medicare

If you have Original Medicare and live in a declared emergency or disaster area, you can get care from any doctor who accepts Medicare. And some requirements may change in certain cases. For example, you may be able to get Medicare-covered services at an airport or from a military provider.

If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan

You may be able to see certain doctors or go to certain hospitals that take Medicare patients, even if it’s a not an emergency or the provider is outside the HAP network. Certain pre-approval rules for out-of-network services may not need to be met during an emergency or disaster. Call a HAP Medicare representative to see if Medicare coverage policies may have temporarily changed.

If you have a Medicare Prescription Drug plan and you can’t go to your usual network pharmacy to replace your prescription drugs, check with us to find another network pharmacy nearby. You can move most prescriptions from one network pharmacy to another and back to your regular pharmacy when the emergency or disaster ends.

If you lost your Medicare drug plan card and don’t know your plan’s phone number, call (800) MEDICARE (633-4227) to get your plan’s contact information. TTY users should call (877) 486-2048.

Using out-of-network pharmacies

If you fill your prescriptions at an out-of-network pharmacy, you’ll likely pay full cost. To request a refund on out-of-network prescriptions, you’ll need to submit a paper claim:

HAP Medicare
Attn: Pharmacy Care Management
1414 E. Maple Rd.
Troy, MI 48083

Extended prescription supplies

If you don’t think you’ll be able to return home for an extended time, you may want a 60- to 90-day supply of prescription drugs.

Here are quick links to government sources that will give you more information about getting care during an emergency or disaster:

• Medicare – Seeing Doctors or Providers in a Disaster or Emergency
• Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services – Getting Medical Care & Prescription Drugs in a Disaster or Emergency Area

Below are links to several other important guidelines and information regarding health care during an emergency or disaster:

• Do you live in a disaster or emergency area?
• Paying your premium in a disaster or emergency
• Getting dialysis in a disaster or emergency
• Getting cancer treatments in a disaster or emergency
• Replacing a lost card in a disaster or emergency
• Replacing lost or damaged equipment or supplies in a disaster or emergency