Accessing Care during a State of Emergency

HCA partners throughout California, including multiple partners located in Los Angeles, stand with Los Angeles, its communities, and, most importantly, the people of Los Angeles.  

This resource page was created to share information, support, and programs for those facing barriers to accessing needed care, equipment, supplies or other necessary services during a state of emergency.  

This resource page will be updated to share additional supports as they become available.

Accessing Health Care After Surviving a Disaster

A Healthcare Tip provided by Western Center on Law and Poverty in collaboration with the HCA.

After disasters in California, survivors may need extra assistance to access health care. Fortunately, several consumer-friendly protections help survivors access the services, supplies, and care that they need. Read on for special rights and remedies available to survivors seeking prescription drugs, dental appliances, eyeglasses, hearing aids, medical supplies and equipment, physician and specialist care, eligibility and coverage, health plan enrollment changes, and more.

New in 2025: The tip has been updated with the most current information about Medi-Cal CalAIM benefits, mental health resources, Medi-Cal eligibility protections, and more.

The Emergency Preparedness Guide/Toolkit for Individuals with Disabilities includes information and emergency preparedness tips for individuals with specific disabilities.

DHCS has released the Emergency and Disaster Assistance Questions & Answers webpage which includes information related to accessing medical care, filling prescriptions, securing transportation, and obtaining support for individuals with specific needs, including people in assisted living facilities and individuals receiving Home and Community-Based Alternatives services.

Recently issued guidance MEDIL 25-03, instructs Los Angeles and Ventura counties to:

  • Delay all manual discontinuances in Los Angeles County and Ventura County
  • Immediately restore eligibility back to the date of discontinuance for anyone who reports being impacted (must accept self-attestation)
  • Prioritize applications and restorations for Medi-Cal members affected by the wildfires and accept attestation of residency.

This Medi-Cal Eligibility Division Information Letter MEDIL 25-02 instructs counties to:

  • Continue to provide benefits beyond the certification period, as needed,
  • Provide additional time for applicants to submit verifications, and
  • Modify eligibility requirements to allow for self-attestation for applications.
    • Inter-County Transfers: Members who are displaced for an unknown amount of time may contact either the Receiving County (where they are currently residing/relocated to) or Sending County (where they used to live/are displaced from) to assist with transferring the case on a permanent or short-term basis. 

As of Thursday, January 9, 2025, the Department of Managed Health Care has issued the following directive:

DMHC Directs Health Plans to Help Wildfire Impacted Members Access Health Care Services, Prescriptions

The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) recognizes the need to dispense durable medical equipment (DME) and medical supplies to recipients impacted by the Southern California wildfires, extreme weather conditions, and/or emergency power-shutoff action.

To access the DME and Medical Supply guidance released by DHCS, use the link below:

DME and Medical Supplies for Recipients Impacted by Wildfires

The following information is released on the Medi-CalRX Web Portal for those affected by the Southern California Wildfires.

Release Date: January 15, 2025

A new alert, Medi-Cal Eligibility Assistance for Medi-Cal Members Affected by California Wildfires, has been posted to the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal.

If the above link does not take you to this document, simply copy and paste the following link into your browser to access the Bulletins and News page: https://medi-calrx.dhcs.ca.gov/provider/pharmacy-news/

For more information, contact MediCalRxEducationOutreach@primetherapeutics.com.

Release date: January 10, 2025

  1. State of Emergency Override Activation: Submission Clarification Code 13
  2. Update: Important Policy Adjustment for Pediatric Integration

If the above links do not take you to these documents, simply copy and paste the following link into your browser to access the Bulletins and News page: https://medi-calrx.dhcs.ca.gov/provider/pharmacy-news/

For more information, contact MediCalRxEducationOutreach@primetherapeutics.com

Provider Bulletin: Disaster Assistance to Evacuated Members and Dental Offices Due to Palisades Fire

In response to the recent wildfires, the Department of Health Care Services has collaborated with Los Angeles County to restore terminated eligibility and delay renewals for Medi-Cal members in zip codes affected by the wildfires. (February 2025)

  • For a complete list of zip codes, use this link.
  • To view the Wildfire Bulletin online, use this link.
  • To download the Wildfire Bulleting, use this link.

In an effort to safeguard the health and well-being of Medi-Cal members and communities suffering from the devastating effects of the Southern California wildfires, DHCS has created the Southern California Wildfire Response Page containing the most up to date resources available to Medi-Cal members during the state of emergency in Southern California. (January 2025)

Covered California has announced a special-enrollment period for residents of Los Angeles and Ventura counties, where a state of emergency has been declared due to the Palisades and Eaton Fires. Download the News Release. (January 17, 2025)

AAPI Equity Alliance

  • LA Wildfires Resource Guide: The AAPI Equity Alliance and our member organizations created this resource guide containing alerts and information, shelter/housing, animal/pet, transportation, food, mental health, community, health and safety, workers’ rights, and insurance and post-disaster resources. Translations: Chinese (Traditional) | Chinese (Simplified)

EDD Waiver Executive Order (1/8/25):

  • The one-week waiting period to apply for unemployment insurance benefits is suspended for anyone who is unemployed because of the wildfire disaster emergency in Los Angeles County. To access the executive order for the waiver of week wait time requirement to apply for EDD benefits, please go here. Get more information on the EDD website here.

Center for Worker’s Rights

  • The Center for Worker’s Rights has developed a fact sheet with important information related to eligibility for Unemployment Insurance for those affected by the Southern California Wildfires. This resource has been provided by the Center for Worker’s Rights. (Released January 2025)

Mutual Aid Los Angeles

Additional resources for California Residents:

  • CA.gov/LAfires – Provides resources for Californians impacted by the Los Angeles wildfires.
  • Listos California – Offers an Emergency Alerts sign-up page to help connect Californians with their local alerts systems based on a provided zip code or location.
  • Ready.Gov – Provides guidance for individuals and families to prepare for, respond to, and recover from wildfire events. The resource includes tips for staying safe during wildfires and returning home once an area is declared safe.
  • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Wildfire Resources – Supports survivors, family members, responders, and recovery workers affected by wildfires and other disasters. Information includes signs of emotional distress, populations who may be at greater risk for distress after a wildfire, and links to resources for more information and support.
  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Provides information on hazards, including wildfires, and offers links to information about staying safe after a wildfire and learning about and coping with hazards linked to wildfires and other disasters.
  • American Red Cross – Suggests ways for people who have experienced a residential fire to take care of themselves and their loved ones and to help people who may need assistance. The site lists four steps to take right after a fire and includes links to more information about returning home safely after a fire and recovering emotionally and financially.

This next section provides additional Information from local and state-wide partners related to states of emergency supports available to residents in various counties in California.

Gender Justice LA is a QTBIPOC-led local organization that assists residents of Los Angeles County. GJLA’s team is holding a special set of Drop-In hours for in need of support during the Southern California Wildfires.

Health Consumer Alliance partner, Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles along with several other community-based organizations in and around Los Angeles County is holding a series of free know-your-rights webinars for people impacted by the fires in LA County. Focused on homeowner and consumer issues, these sessions provide information to help you navigate the recovery process, manage financial challenges, and make informed decisions during this critical time.

For more information, download the Recovery After the Fires Flyer (English) (Spanish).

 

We were faced with a seemingly intractable issue that neither Covered California nor our insurer could resolve…. It took a legal hearing to resolve the problem. Without your help, I am sure that I could not have achieved the fair outcome that we deserved. Thanks so much for all of your kind assistance and advice.

Consumer who was assisted in obtaining coverage with Covered California

Mr. Jackson
@mrjackson
HCA