September 21, 2017
Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands Update “Hurricane Maria”
The HHS Secretary Thomas E. Price, MD declared a Public Health Emergency in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands due to Hurricane Maria on Tuesday, September 19, 2017.
You can find the OCR’s latest guidance on Hurricane Maria, limited waiver of HIPAA sanctions and penalties during a declared emergency at
https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/hurricane-maria-hipaa-bulletin.pdf
Below are the links you may view the Waiver or Modification of Requirements Under Section 1135 of the Social Security Act in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the Territory of the U.S. Virgin Islands.
http://www.phe.gov/emergency/news/healthactions/section1135/Pages/maria-vi-pr-19Sept2017.aspx
http://www.phe.gov/emergency/news/healthactions/section1135/Pages/maria-vi-pr-19Sept2017.aspx
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) activated a program to help hospitals and medical facilities providing care to those who were affected by Irma. This is the first-time HHS has activated the program for a natural disaster since the devastating earthquake that hit Haiti in 2010. The program, “National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) Definitive Care Reimbursement Program” reimburses medical facilities and hospitals for the definitive medical care costs of patients medically evacuated following disasters. These patients are directed to NDMS-designated hospitals and medical facilities and tracked through Federal Coordinating Centers managed by the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Defense.
HHS Activated Emergency Program to Reimburse Hospitals –
https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2017/09/17/hhs-activates-program-reimburse-hospitals-caring-patients-evacuated-hurricane-irma.html
Resources:
American Institute of Healthcare Compliance
www.hhs.gov
www.phe.gov
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/
