A Federal Public Health Emergency has been declared for Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, The Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) announced Friday, July 17.
The federal declaration made by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HSS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy and signed by President Donald Trump comes as the island continues to recovery from Super Typhoon Bavi.
It allows the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services to provide “additional emergency flexibilities for health care providers and suppliers serving Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries” in post-storm recovery.
DPHSS Director Theresa Arriola said the declaration is an important step in protecting access to care on Guam during recovery efforts.
“Our priority is to ensure that residents continue receiving the care and support they need. We are grateful for the continued coordination with our federal partners and remain committed to using every available tool to support Guam’s health care system and the people we serve.”
For Guam, this means CMS can make “temporary changes” to certain Medicare, Medicaid and CHIP rules.
“These changes can help reduce delays, remove paperwork barriers, and make it easier for providers to keep services available. The emergency waivers that were already available after Typhoon Sinlaku remain in place while DPHSS works with CMS to confirm any additional support available under the new Typhoon Bavi declaration,” DPHSS officials said.
To support vulnerable residents, the HSS empower program is also available for emergency managers to help identify Medicare beneficiaries who rely on electricity-dependent medical equipment and other critical health care services.