Special Enrollment Period: New York Emergency Declaration - Suffolk County Wildfire – EO #48
This is an important announcement for agents with customers in New York and for those with business in this state. The counties below are under a federal or state designated SEP due to an emergency.
Please be advised that this is a Special Election Period that the state has deemed. When processing an enrollment, DO NOT choose “Other”. You will choose the option listed in the image below through Think Agent. If this option is not reflected in your upline’s enrollment platform, please speak with your upline directly for guidance. Use SEPs responsibly and feel free to contact me with any questions.
Think Agent Election Period Selection
"I was affected by an emergency or major disaster (as declared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or by Federal, my state, or my local government). One of the other statements applied to me, but I was unable to make my request because of the distaster.
More about SEPs:
The length of a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) and the effective date of new coverage vary depending on the circumstances that trigger the SEP.
The plan and, in some cases, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), determine whether an applicant qualifies for an SEP based on Medicare Guidelines.
The rules for changing Medicare drug plans are the same whether you are in a stand-alone drug plan that only covers drugs or a Medicare Advantage Plan that covers both health care and drugs.
New York – Suffolk County Wildfire – EO #48
Incident Announcement Date: 3/8/2025
Incident Period: 3/8/2025 – 4/7/2025
SEP Start Date: 3/8/2025
SEP End Date: 06/30/2025
Related Link: https://www.governor.ny.gov/executive-order/no-48-declaring-disaster-county-suffolk
Counties effected: Suffolk only
Review requirements for the disaster/emergency Special Enrollment Period (SEP)
Overview of the SEP for Government Entity-Declared Disaster or Other Emergency A special enrollment period (SEP) exists for individuals affected by a disaster or other emergency declared by a federal, state or local government entity who were unable to, and did not make an election during another valid election period. This SEP allows for enrollment and disenrollment elections. For more information, go to CY 2024 MA Enrollment and Disenrollment Guidance [42 CFR 422.62(b)(18)].
When can this SEP be used?
A disaster/emergency SEP is only applicable to those beneficiaries who were prevented from submitting an enrollment or disenrollment request during a given election period due to a declared disaster or emergency. CMS strictly limits when the disaster/emergency SEP may be used.
Individuals are eligible for this SEP if they:
Enrollment instructions IMPORTANT:
Remember, you cannot use this SEP opportunity to proactively market to beneficiaries. However, you can assist any clients who contact you about this SEP.
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