Current non-COVID emergencies

Here’s information and updates about non-COVID natural disasters, man-made incidents, and public health emergencies that are happening now. Find more information on ongoing or past emergencies.

2023

Severe Storms (Mississippi)  

Secretary Becerra used his authority in the Public Health Service Act to declare a public health emergency (PHE) on March 27, 2023, giving us the flexibility to support our beneficiaries in Mississippi, effective March 24, 2023.  

• MS Severe Storms 1812(f) Waiver (PDF)
• MS Severe Storms 1135 Waiver Secretarial Approval (PDF)
  • 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
• Waivers still available for health care providers to use during the COVID-19 PHE and for the 2023 MS Severe Storms. 
• Special enrollment periods for MS Severe Storm victims (PDF)
• Disaster Preparedness Toolkit for State Medicaid Agencies

2022

Hurricane Ian (South Carolina)  

Secretary Becerra used his authority in the Public Health Service Act to declare a public health emergency (PHE) on September 30, 2022, giving us the flexibility to support our beneficiaries in South Carolina, effective September 25, 2022.  

• Hurricane Ian 1812(f) Waiver (PDF)
• Hurricane Ian 1135 Waiver Secretarial Approval (PDF) (PDF)
  • 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) (PDF)  
    • Watch our YouTube training videos: 
      • 1135 Waiver/Flexibility Requests
      • PHE-related Inquiry Requests
• You can read the blanket waivers for Hurricane Ian (PDF)
• Waivers still available for health care providers to use during the COVID-19 PHE and for the Hurricane Ian PHE. 
• Special enrollment periods for hurricane victims (PDF)
• Disaster Preparedness Toolkit for State Medicaid Agencies

Hurricane Ian (Florida) 

Secretary Becerra used his authority in the Public Health Service Act to declare a public health emergency (PHE) on September 26, 2022, giving us the flexibility to support our beneficiaries in Florida, effective September 23, 2022.

Florida guidance:

• Florida Hurricane Ian 1812 waiver (PDF)
• Hurricane Ian 1135 Waiver Secretarial Approval (PDF)
  • 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
  • You can read the blanket waivers for Hurricane Ian (PDF)
• Waivers available for health care providers to use during the COVID-19 PHE and for the Hurricane Ian PHE.
• Special enrollment periods for hurricane victims (PDF)
• Disaster Preparedness Toolkit for State Medicaid Agencies

Hurricane Fiona (Puerto Rico)

Secretary Becerra used his authority in the Public Health Service Act to declare a public health emergency (PHE) on September 20, 2022, giving us the flexibility to support our beneficiaries in Puerto Rico, effective September 17, 2022.

Puerto Rico guidance:

• Puerto Rico Hurricane Fiona 1812 waiver (PDF)
• Hurricane Fiona 1135 Waiver Secretarial Approval (PDF)
  • 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
• Waivers available for health care providers to use during the COVID-19 PHE and for the Hurricane Fiona PHE.
• Special enrollment periods for hurricane victims (PDF)
• Disaster Preparedness Toolkit for State Medicaid Agencies

Kentucky severe weather 

Secretary Becerra used his authority in the Public Health Service Act to declare a public health emergency (PHE) on August 2, 2022, giving us the flexibility to support our beneficiaries in Kentucky, effective August 4, 2022.

Kentucky guidance:

• Kentucky severe weather 1812 waiver (PDF)

2021

Texas severe weather

Acting Secretary Cochran used his authority in the Public Health Service Act to declare a public health emergency (PHE) on February 17, 2020, giving us the flexibility to support our beneficiaries in Texas retroactively effective from February 11, 2021.

 Texas guidance:

• Texas Severe Weather Waiver or Modification of Requirements Under Section 1135 of the Social Security Act
• Waivers already available for health care providers to use during the COVID-19 PHE and for the Texas Severe Weather PHE.
• Texas Severe Weather 1812(f) waiver (PDF) (PDF)
• Disaster Preparedness Toolkit for State Medicaid Agencies
• 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) (PDF) or a PHE inquiry (PDF) (PDF)
  • Watch our YouTube training videos:
    • 1135 Waiver/Flexibility Requests
    • PHE-related Inquiry Requests
  • Report technical issues by email (Note “Waiver/Flexibility" in the subject line)