HHS declares PHE in California 

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has declared a public health emergency for California to address the health impacts of the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles County. The declaration, which follows President Joe Biden’s major disaster declaration, authorizes flexibilities for CMS providers, suppliers and beneficiaries retroactive to Jan. 7 to meet the emergency health needs of Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries. “We will do all we can to assist California officials with responding to the health impacts of the devastating wildfires going on in Los Angeles County,” said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. “We are working closely with state and local health authorities, as well as our partners across the federal government, and stand ready to provide public health and medical support. My thoughts and prayers are with the people impacted in my home state.” CMS will permit people with Medicare who have lost or realized damage to their durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies as a result of the wildfires to receive replacements of such items and services. Additionally, HHS has made information available from the HHS emPOWER program, a partnership between the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response and CMS, to support public health emergency planning and response activities. The program provides valuable information on the number of Medicare beneficiaries who rely on electricity-dependent durable medical equipment and certain health care services, such as dialysis, oxygen tanks or home health care, to help anticipate, plan for, and respond to the needs of at-risk residents in areas impacted by the storm. 

• Related: Here is a link to ASPR’s waiver/modification of requirements document.