... AS CMS PREPARES FOR HURRICANE SEASON

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is making contingencyplans for beneficiaries in the event of a hurricane. The agency is trying to ensurethat all beneficiaries will be able to obtain early refills on their Part D medicationsthat may be lost or misplaced during a government-declared emergency.

CMS officials anticipate that Part D plans would guarantee immediate refills ofPart D drugs to beneficiaries located in an emergency area, defined as the areain which there has been a Stafford Act or National Emergencies Act declarationand a public health emergency declaration. Furthermore, CMS officials expect all"refill too soon" language to be removed, beginning with any voluntary or mandatorystate or federal evacuations and remaining in effect throughout the extent ofthe emergency declaration. Because of a limited number of operational pharmacies,transportation and travel restrictions, and the interruption of mail, theagency foresees plans allowing affected beneficiaries to receive the maximumplan extended-day supplies if requested and available at the time of refill.