Hawaii hurricane season Medicare prep checklist

Medication and medical supplies

• Build a 14-day medication supply — talk to your doctor about a small extra prescription you can keep aside as backup
• Know your medication list — keep a current printed list (drug name, dose, schedule, prescriber) in your wallet AND a copy in your supply kit
• Plan for refrigerated medications — insulin and some biologics need to stay cool; have a cooler and ice plan
• Confirm your Part D mail-order setup — mail-order is more reliable than retail in disaster scenarios; consider switching for chronic medications
• Learn your Part D plan's vacation override process — useful both for travel and for stocking up before a storm

Powered medical equipment

• If you use CPAP, oxygen, or other powered equipment, register with your county's special needs registry
• Talk to your equipment provider about backup batteries, manual alternatives, or generator options
• Hawaiian Electric and KIUC programs — register as a medical needs customer for priority restoration when power returns
• Have a backup plan — identify the closest facility (hospital, evacuation shelter with medical needs accommodations) where powered equipment is available

Documents and identification

• Photocopy or photograph your Medicare card, Med-QUEST card (if applicable), and supplement/MA card
• Keep digital copies in cloud storage (email, Google Drive, iCloud) — accessible from any device if your home is destroyed
• Make a list of phone numbers — Medicare (1-800-MEDICARE), your plan, your doctor, your pharmacy, family members
• Keep advance directives and POLST forms in your supply kit and with a trusted family member
• Store insurance information with a mainland family member if possible

Register with the right programs

• County Office on Aging — many counties maintain registries of high-needs kupuna for evacuation prioritization
• Hawaiian Electric medical needs program — priority power restoration
• Your Medicare Advantage plan — some plans have member emergency response programs
• Sage PLUS — has resources and can help you navigate disaster SEPs if needed later

If you've lost medications

Call your pharmacy or Part D plan immediately. CMS directs Part D plans to facilitate emergency refills during declared disasters:

• Refill-too-soon limits are typically waived
• Out-of-network pharmacies may be authorized when your usual one is closed
• Emergency supplies can usually be approved by phone

If you've evacuated to another island or to the mainland, your Part D plan can authorize fills wherever you are.

If you've lost your Medicare card

Replacements are free from Medicare:

• 1-800-MEDICARE — 1-800-633-4227
• Online at SSA.gov — fastest if you have a my Social Security account
• Med-QUEST replacement — 1-877-628-5076

You can usually get care without the physical card by providing your Medicare number. Don't let lost cards delay needed care.

If you need to use a different provider

Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans must cover emergency and urgent care at any participating Medicare provider, regardless of network. If your usual hospital or clinic is closed:

• Original Medicare — go to any Medicare-participating provider
• Medicare Advantage — emergency and urgent care covered out-of-network
• Document everything in case of billing issues later

Disaster Special Enrollment Period

Federal disaster declarations can trigger Medicare Special Enrollment Periods that let affected beneficiaries change Medicare Advantage and Part D plans outside of normal windows. See our disaster SEP guide for current eligibility.