HHS eases certain provider requirements due to hurricane emergencies

Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price yesterday declared a public health emergency in Florida due to Hurricane Irma, and waived or modified certain Medicare, Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program requirements to ensure sufficient health care items and services are available. The Department of Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights also has granted a limited waiver of Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act sanctions and penalties for hospitals in portions of Florida, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands in response to Hurricane Irma. The National Hurricane Center expects Irma to make landfall in Florida on Sunday. Some potentially impacted hospitals have started to evacuate patients and reduce clinical functions.