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.

Find the latest information & updates about COVID.

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)