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
Hospital-at-home bill considered during House Ways and Means Committee markup
The AHA submitted a statement Sept. 17 for a House Ways and Means Committee markup session on a series of health care and other bills. Specifically, the AHA…
Headline
AHA supports bill expanding in-network providers within MA plans 
The AHA Sept. 15 expressed support for the Ensuring Access to Essential Providers Act, legislation that would require Medicare Advantage plans to cover…
Headline
AHA urges Aetna to rescind ‘level of severity inpatient payment’ policy
The AHA Sept. 15 urged Aetna to rescind its recently announced “level of severity inpatient payment” policy, saying that it “could erode the transparency…
Headline
U.S. uninsured rate increased between 2023 and 2024
The Census Bureau reported (https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/2025/demo/acsbr-024.pdf) that the uninsured rate increased nationally to 8.2% in 2024…
Perspective
Hospital Outpatient Departments Are Different from Independent Physician Offices
Public
Every health care provider strives to deliver their patients the best possible care, but not all providers offer the same level or complexity of care. Current…
Headline
Study: MA beneficiaries’ hospital stays longer than those under Traditional Medicare
A JAMA internal medicine study published Sept. 8 found that since the COVID-19 pandemic, Medicare Advantage beneficiaries have been experiencing longer…