If you have Original Medicare
You can go to any doctor, hospital or other provider in the U.S. that accepts Medicare, even if you have to leave your city or the state. There are no networks or referrals. Bring your red, white and blue Medicare card and any Medigap or Part D cards if you can.
If you have Medicare Advantage
Federal rules (42 CFR 422.100(m)) apply when a President, the HHS Secretary or the Governor declares a disaster or emergency and it disrupts access to care. During that time your plan must:
- Cover Part A, Part B and supplemental services at facilities outside its network
- Charge you the same cost sharing as at a network facility
- Waive referral requirements
These protections last until 30 days after the declaration ends or the disruption is over. Call the member services number on your card if you aren't sure what applies.
Prescriptions
- Most prescriptions can move from one network pharmacy to another. Give the new pharmacy your usual pharmacy's name and your drugs.
- Your drug plan can help replace drugs that were lost, damaged or left behind.
- If you can't reasonably reach a network pharmacy, you may be able to use an out-of-network one. You may pay full price; keep receipts and ask your plan for a refund.
- Oregon pharmacists can give an emergency refill of up to 30 days in a declared emergency area. See early refills during a wildfire.
Medical equipment and dialysis
With Original Medicare, Medicare covers repair or replacement of equipment and supplies lost or damaged in a disaster when you use a Medicare-approved supplier, and usually covers a rental while yours is being fixed. With Medicare Advantage, ask your plan. If you get dialysis, contact your ESRD Network (esrdnetworks.org) or your plan to find a dialysis center near where you're staying.
Before fire season
- Keep a list of your drugs, doses, doctors and pharmacy in your go-bag.
- Take photos of your Medicare, plan and Medigap cards.
- Ask your oxygen or equipment supplier what to do in an evacuation.
If the disaster kept you from making a Medicare change, you may also get a special enrollment period. More in our wildfire guide.
Related questions
Is there a Medicare special enrollment period after an Oregon wildfire?
Who qualifies and how long it lasts.
Does Medicare pay for an air purifier or generator?
Smoke, outages and oxygen.
What if I move out of Oregon with Medicare?
When a move becomes permanent.
Sources
- Medicare.gov — Getting care in a disaster or emergency
- Medicare.gov — Getting drugs in a disaster or emergency
- 42 CFR 422.100 — General requirements for MA plans, paragraph (m) (Cornell LII)
- OAR 855-007-0090 — Emergency pharmacy rules (Cornell LII)
More questions in this guide
- Can I get an early prescription refill during a wildfire?
- Does Medicare cover telehealth in Oregon?
- Does Medicare pay for an air purifier for wildfire smoke or a generator for my oxygen?
- Is there a Medicare special enrollment period after an Oregon wildfire?
- What is a critical access hospital in Oregon?
Part of the guide: Medicare in Rural Oregon · All questions
Frequently asked questions
Do I still have to pay my plan premium?
Yes. Medicare.gov says you are still responsible for paying your premium on time, even in an emergency or disaster.
My Medicare card burned. How do I replace it?
Log in to or create your Medicare.gov account to print or order an official card. For a Medicare Advantage or drug plan card, call your plan.
What if I can't go home for months?
If you move for good outside your plan's service area, you get a special enrollment period to pick a new plan. Medicare Advantage plans generally must disenroll members who are out of the area for more than six months, so call your plan if your stay drags on.
Medicare in your Oregon county
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