Current emergencies

Hurricane Helene – Georgia (2024)  

Secretary Becerra used his authority under the Public Health Service Act to declare a public health emergency (PHE) for the State of Georgia on September 27, 2024, giving us the flexibility to support our beneficiaries in Georgia, effective retrospectively since September 24, 2024. Secretary Kennedy signed an extension of this PHE on June 12, 2025, effective June 21, 2025.

• Letter to Health Care Leaders and Stakeholders on Impacts of Hurricane Helene from Secretary Becerra (10/09/24)
• 2024 Hurricane Helene (Georgia) 1812f Waiver Findings (PDF)
• 2024 Hurricane Helene (Georgia) Public Health Emergency Determination
• 2024 Hurricane Helene (Georgia) 1135 Waiver Secretarial Approval
  • Apply for an 1135 waiver or submit a public health emergency (PHE)-related inquiry
    • Get a quick-start guide to learn how to submit an 1135 waiver (PDF) or a PHE inquiry (PDF)
    • Watch our YouTube training videos:
      • 1135 Waiver/Flexibility Requests
      • PHE-related Inquiry Requests
• Waiver requests related to the Physician Self-Referral Law (commonly referred to as the “Stark Law”) should not be submitted via the web portal. For these requests, please visit the Physician Self-Referral Spotlight Page for additional information.
• You can read the blanket waivers for the 2024 Hurricane Helene (Georgia) (PDF) (updated 06/16/25)
• Special enrollment periods for 2024 Hurricane Helene (Georgia) victims (PDF) (PDF)
• Disaster Preparedness Toolkit for State Medicaid Agencies