Special Election Period (SEP) in effect for Florida

Special Enrollment Period: Florida Emergency Declaration - North FL Tornadoes

This is an important announcement for agents with customers in Florida and for those with business in this states. The counties below are under a federal or state designated SEP due to an emergency.

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Enrollment Reminders:

• As a reminder, under current guidance, the SEP for a Government Entity-Declared Disaster or Other Emergency is available to individuals affected by an emergency or major disaster declared by a Federal, state, or local government entity and applies to disasters or emergencies initially declared January 1, 2021, and later.
• People are eligible for a Medicare SEP (DST) if they:
  • Lived in the affected area at the time. Members are also eligible if they did not live in the affected area, but relied on someone who does live there for help making health care decisions
  • Were eligible for another election period at the time of the SEP eligibility period
  • Had a valid election period, but did not use this election period due to the disaster or other emergency
• Agents may not market SEPs; however, please be aware of all available SEPs to help beneficiaries who believe they missed an election period due an emergency or disaster. (See Above)
• When using an SEP, Agents should always:
  • Ask the beneficiary if they can show proof that they live/lived in an impacted area at the start of the SEP eligibility period
  • If the beneficiary does not have proof, ask them to verbally attest
  • Confirm the beneficiaries had another election period available during the time of the incident period that they were unable to utilize due to the disaster or other emergency
  • Once verified, use election code SEP-DST on the application
  • If using Sales Connect, use “I was affected by a weather-related emergency or disaster (as declared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). One of the other statements here applied to me, but I was unable to make my enrollment because of the natural disaster” option.
• Be sure to review the required Pre-Enrollment Checklist with a beneficiary prior to enrollment. You should cover these items in full and confirm that the beneficiary understands all items addressed
• Remember to obtain Scope of Appointment (SOA) forms and only discuss products with potential enrollees that have been agreed to on the SOA
• You should review all health care choices with the beneficiary and help them to select a plan that best meets their needs and situation

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SEP Details

Emergency Management: North FL Tornadoes

Affected Counties: Baker, Columbia, Escambia, Gadsden, Hamilton, Jefferson, Lafayette, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Suwannee, Taylor, and Wakulla Counties.

SEP End Date: 9/30/2024

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