CMS Announces Resources, Flexibilities to Assist with Public Health Emergency in State of Hawaii

Policy Share CMS Announces Resources, Flexibilities to Assist with Public Health Emergency in State of Hawaii The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced today additional resources and flexibilities available in response to a Public Health Emergency (PHE) in the State of Hawaii due to emergency conditions resulting from severe storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides beginning March 10, 2026, and continuing. CMS is working closely with the State of Hawaii and federal partners to put flexibility in place to ensure those affected by this natural disaster have access to needed care. On April 21, 2026, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. signed the PHE . CMS will assist with resources and waivers to ensure hospitals and other facilities can continue to operate and provide access to care for those impacted by severe storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides. The following is key information on resources for those affected and actions CMS is taking. State of Hawaii Waivers: CMS’ blanket waivers and other flexibilities are available to affected providers in Hawaii who have been affected by severe storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides – retroactively from March 10, 2026. Healthcare providers in need of additional flexibilities specific to the effects resulting from severe storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides can submit a request to CMS here: CMS 1135 Waiver/Flexibility Request and Inquiry Form. Marketplace Special Enrollment Period (SEP) for Hurricane Victims: During a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) declared Major or Emergency disaster event, individuals who reside in states served by HealthCare.gov and who miss their existing SEP or who miss enrollment during the Open Enrollment Period are eligible for an SEP to enroll in Marketplace coverage. FEMA-emergency affected individuals will have up to 60 days from the end of the FEMA-designated incident period to select a new Marketplace plan or make changes to their existing Marketplace plan. FEMA-emergency affected individuals must contact the Marketplace Call Center at 1-800-318-2596 or TTY at 1855-889-4325 and indicate they were eligible for an enrollment window but were unable to complete their enrollment due to a FEMA-designated emergency or disaster. For more information, please visit: https://www.cms.gov/cciio/resources/regulations-and-guidance/fema_sep Disaster Toolkit and Support for State Medicaid and CHIP Agencies: To prepare for current and future disasters, CMS developed an inventory of Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) flexibilities and authorities available to states in the event of a disaster to support Medicaid and CHIP operations and ensure continuity of coverage for people served through Medicaid and CHIP programs during times of crisis. For more information and to access the inventory and toolkit, visit: www.medicaid.gov/resources-for-states/disaster-response-toolkit/index.html . Dialysis Care: CMS is helping people obtain and maintain access to critical life-saving services by activating the Kidney Community Emergency Response (KCER) program and working with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Network 17, which is responsible under a contract with CMS for assessing the status of dialysis facilities in potentially impacted areas of Hawaii. This includes assessing impacts related to generators, alternate water supplies, providing education and materials for patients, and more. ESRD Network 17 is also assisting people in receiving dialysis services in Hawaii locations to which they evacuated. CMS, through ESRD Network 17, advises people to keep an emergency supply kit on hand in a waterproof bag containing important personal, medical, and insurance information; contact information for their dialysis facility; the ESRD Network hotline number; and contact information of those with whom they may stay or for out-of-state contacts. They have also been instructed to have on-hand supplies to follow a three-day emergency diet. The ESRD Network 17 (Hawaii) toll-free hotline is 1-800-232-3773. Additional information is available on the KCER website at: www.kcercoalition.com . Medical Equipment and Supplies Replacements: CMS will permit people with Medicare who have lost or realized damage to their durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies because of the flooding to receive replacements of such items and services. This will help to ensure beneficiaries can continue to access the needed medical equipment and supplies they rely on each day. People with Medicare can contact 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) for assistance. Access to Covered Part D Drugs: There is longstanding guidance around expectations for Part D sponsors in the event of a Presidential declaration of a disaster/emergency or Secretarial declaration of a PHE. During any PHE declaration, where beneficiaries are displaced from their place of residence and cannot be reasonably