Public Health Emergency Declared in Response to Hurricane Francine – Information for CMS Health Care Providers

From the Office of External Affairs, Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

On September 12, 2024, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, following President Biden’s emergency declaration, declared a Public Health Emergency (PHE) exists for multiple counties in the state of Louisiana affected by Hurricane Francine.

The PHE gives the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) health care providers and suppliers greater flexibility in meeting emergency health needs of Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries. HHS has also waived sanctions and penalties for violations of certain provisions. 

Click here to learn more on the limited waiver and its duration.

As damage assessments continue in the affected areas, ASPR stands ready to assist the state and local response efforts in Louisiana with rapid response to the public health and medical impacts of Hurricane Francine.  To further assist Louisiana in addressing the potential health impacts of the storm, the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) has deployed disaster management professionals and a Health Care Situational Assessment Team to Baton Rouge and impacted areas.