ASPR's Response to Hurricane Helene
ASPR Deploys Responders, Medical Supplies and Equipment
As of October 4, 2024, ASPR has deployed approximately 370 medical, public health, and disaster response personnel to support North Carolina communities as part of the government-wide response to the devastation caused by the hurricane. Responders from ASPR’s National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) began providing care on October 1, 2024 and are currently providing care at the following locations:
- In Buncombe County, NDMS responders are providing 24-hour surge support in medical tents for the influx of patients arriving to the Emergency Department at Mission Hospital in Asheville.
- In Catawba County, a Health and Medical Task Force (HMTF) is preparing to provide care at a state medical support shelter in Hickory.
- In Mitchell County, NDMS responders are providing 24-hour surge support in medica tents outside the Emergency Department at Blue Ridge Regional Hospital in Spruce Pine.
- In Polk County, a HMTF is supporting a second state medical shelter in Mill Springs.
- Two experts from NDMS’ Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Team are also in North Carolina providing fatality management support.
Additional responders have been deployed to support future medical missions in the hardest hit areas of the state. ASPR will assist North Carolina until the state determines federal public health and medical assistance is no longer needed.
Emergency Prescription Assistance Program
Uninsured residents in Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee living in areas impacted by Hurricane Helene can replace their 30-day supply of certain prescription medications, durable medical equipment, and medical supplies from any pharmacy that participates in the Emergency Prescription Assistance Program.
To learn more about the program, check out the
Emergency Prescription Assistance Program (EPAP) website and to find a participating pharmacy near you, use our
locator. For help enrolling in the program, call the EPAP enrollment hotline at
1-855-793-7470 (TTY 1-800-876-1089).
Increasing Access to Health Care with Increased Flexibility and Data
In addition, HHS Secretary Becerra has declared public health emergencies in 5 states: South Carolina, Tennessee, Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina. These declarations give the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) health care providers and suppliers greater flexibility in meeting emergency health needs of Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries.
In addition, HHS emPOWER program, is available to identify the number of Medicare beneficiaries in affected zips codes who rely on electricity-dependent durable medical equipment and certain healthcare services, such as dialysis, oxygen tank, or home health, to help anticipate, plan for, and respond to the needs of at-risk citizens in potentially impacted areas.
HHS has waived sanctions and penalties for violations of certain provisions of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) Privacy Rule against hospitals in the emergency areas. The HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR) issued
bulletins explaining how limited waivers apply and the duration.
Supporting Behavioral Health
The HHS Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) offers free crisis counseling through the
Disaster Distress Helpline. This toll-free, multilingual, crisis support service is available 24/7 to all residents in the U.S. and its territories who are experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters.
To connect with a trained counselor, call or text 1-800-985-5990. Spanish speakers can press “2” for bilingual support. Callers also can connect with counselors in more than 100 other languages via third-party interpretation services by indicating their preferred language to the responding counselor.
View the Response in Pictures
PHEs and 1135s
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September 30, 2024: Determination that a Public Health Emergency Exists As a Result of the Consequences of Hurricane Helene in the States of Tennessee and South Carolina
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September 30, 2024: Waiver or Modification of Requirements Under Section 1135 of the Social Security Act as a Result of Hurricane Helene in the States of Tennessee and South Carolina
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September 28, 2024: Determination that a Public Health Emergency Exists As a Result of the Consequences of Hurricane Helene in the State of North Carolina
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September 28, 2024: Waiver or Modification of Requirements Under Section 1135 of the Social Security Act as a Result of Hurricane Helene in the State of North Carolina
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September 27, 2024: Determination that a Public Health Emergency Exists As a Result of the Consequences of Hurricane Helene in the State of Georgia
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September 27, 2024: Waiver or Modification of Requirements Under Section 1135 of the Social Security Act as a Result of Hurricane Helene in the State of Georgia
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September 26, 2024: Determination that a Public Health Emergency Exists As a Result of the Consequences of Hurricane Helene in the State of Florida
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September 26, 2024: Waiver or Modification of Requirements Under Section 1135 of the Social Security Act as a Result of Hurricane Helene in the State of Florida
