As of October 13, the main priorities are still response and recovery efforts for the impacts from Hurricane Milton. There are approximately 879,825 customers in Florida without power so getting power back up and running, clearing roadways of floodwater and debris, and ensuring residents have access to health care are still the main priorities.
Healthcare Ready is ENGAGED for this event.We are monitoring potential concerns for supply chain disruptions and impacts on healthcare services on our response page, listing resources and previous situation reports.
As of October 13, the main priorities are still response and recovery efforts for the impacts from Hurricane Milton. There are approximately879,825 customers in Floridawithout power so getting power back up and running, clearing roadways of floodwater and debris, and ensuring residents have access to health care are still the main priorities.
Healthcare Ready will continue to publish situation reports with updated information. The next situation report can be expected on Tuesday, October 15.
The table below provides a snapshot of pharmacy status across the potentially impacted areas, as of October 13. This information was pulled from RxOpen.
Closures have diminished in FL as the impacts of Hurricane Muilton begin to stablize, with only 9 closures across the state. Although a significant number of Unknowns are still present in and around Tampa, we are seeing many pharmacies reopen in Orlando, Miami and along the east coast of Florida.
On October 11, FEMA approved a major disaster declaration for specific counties in Florida due to Hurricane Milton.
The State Surgeon General signed Emergency Order 24-004, waiving out-of-state practitioner licensure and telehealth registration requirements. This order enhances Emergency Order 24-003, which authorizes medical transportation services from other states, permits out-of-state paramedics to provide services in Florida, and allows pharmacies to operate in multiple or mobile locations.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued blanket waivers and other flexibilities through the end of the Hurricane Milton PHE declaration for Florida. Information on those waivers and flexibilities can be found here.
Emergency Prescription Refills
In Florida, under a state of emergency, individuals are permitted to receive early prescription refills.
The Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) issued a Health Care Alert that waives all prior authorization requirements for critical Medicaid services. Early prescription refill edits have been lifted for all maintenance medications.
Healthcare Infrastructure
On October 12, there were 633 health care facilities without power. This includes 402 assisted living facilities, 102 nursing homes, 18 hospitals, and other health care facilities.
On October 12, there were 365 health care facilities that reported evacuations. This included 195 assisted living facilities, 70 nursing homes, 20 hospitals, and other health care facilities.
As of October 13, HCA Florida Healthcare has listed 3 facilities that are temporarily closed. That list can be found here.
A list of open shelters in Florida can be found here.
Florida has also partnered with Uber and Lyft to provide residents in mandatory evacuation zones free rides returning home local shelters.
Boile Water Advisories
As of October 12, there were 43 active boil water advisories. Updated notices by county can be found here.
Impacts to Supply Chain
As of October 12, the Florida Department of Emergency Management has opened three public fuel depot locations in Manatee, Hillsborough, and Pinellas counties.
IV Solutions
The Braun IV solutions manufacturing site and distribution center in Daytona Beach, Florida, have resumed operations. B. Braun is working with the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) to return evacuated products to the distribution center.
Transportation Waivers
On October 6, the Florida State Surgeon General issued a curfew letter for businesses providing health care deliver services, supplies, and pharmaceuticals in response to Hurricane Milton.
On October 7, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) issued Emergency Order 24-06. It suspends the enforcement of registration requirements for vehicles providing emergency services or supplies.
As of October 7, Governor DeSantis suspended tolls across Central and West Florida in preparation for Hurricane Milton. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will suspend toll collection from October 7 through October 14.
On October 6, FDOT issued Emergency Order 24-12 which waived and suspended size and weight restrictions for vehicles responding to Hurricane Milton.
On October 6, FDOT released an Emergency Road Use Permit for vehicles transporting goods from seaports impacted by the port strikes. The permit is also issued for the purpose of Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton emergency response.
On October 6, FDOT released an Enforcement Bulletin determining what sort of supplies (besides emergency equipment, services, and supplies) would be covered by the Emergency Road Use Permit.
FDOT has also coordinated with Georgia and Alabama to allow bypassing of weigh stations for emergency response vehicles.
Ports
As of October 13, Port Tampa Bay has resumed vessel operations.
As of October 13,FedExhas listed specific counties in Florida that have either limited service or no service due to Hurricane Milton.
As of October 13,UPShas stated that some services may be impacted by Hurricane Milton.
Road Closures
Updates on any road closures in Florida can be found here.
About Healthcare Ready
Healthcare Ready is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that works to ensure patient access to healthcare in times of disaster, emergency, and disease outbreaks. We leverage unique relationships with government, nonprofit and medical supply chains to build and enhance the resiliency of communities before, during and after disasters. Learn more about Healthcare Ready
Healthcare Ready leverages unique relationships with government, nonprofit and medical supply chains to build and enhance the resiliency of communities before, during and after disasters.
Healthcare Ready is approved by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501 (C)(3) tax-exempt organization, and all donations are tax deductible to the extent provided by law. Healthcare Ready's Federal Identification Number (EIN) is 46-3134601.
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