Who qualifies
The same rule appears for Medicare Advantage (42 CFR 422.62(b)(18)) and Part D (42 CFR 423.38(c)(23)). You qualify if all of these are true:
- A federal, state or local government entity declared an emergency or major disaster for the area where you live, or lived when the period began. You also qualify if you live elsewhere but rely on someone in that area to help with your health care decisions.
- You were eligible for another enrollment period at the time, such as Open Enrollment (October 15 to December 7), your Initial Enrollment Period or another special enrollment period.
- You didn't make a change during that period because of the disaster.
How long it lasts
The period starts on the earliest of the declaration date, the incident start date or the start date in the declaration. It ends 2 full calendar months after the end date in the declaration (or the date the end of the incident is announced). If no end date is ever set, the incident is treated as ending one year after the period starts, or after a later renewal, so it can last up to 14 full calendar months.
Recent Ohio declarations
| Declaration | Incident | Counties with individual assistance |
|---|---|---|
| DR-4777 (declared May 2, 2024) | Tornadoes, March 14, 2024 | Auglaize, Crawford, Darke, Delaware, Hancock, Licking, Logan, Mercer, Miami, Richland, Union |
| DR-4945 (declared October 2, 2026) | Storms, flooding and landslides, August 10 to 22, 2026 | Clermont, Franklin, Hamilton, Licking, Morgan, Muskingum, Perry |
State and local emergency declarations count too, so a declaration not on FEMA's list can still qualify.
How to use it
- Confirm the declaration for your county on FEMA's site or your county emergency management agency's site.
- Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227; TTY 1-877-486-2048) and explain which enrollment period you missed and why.
- Pick your new plan and confirm it covers your doctors and drugs.
This period is separate from the one for plans ending in 2027: if your plan sent a non-renewal letter, see Ohio plans ending in 2027. Full rules are in winter storms, floods and Medicare in Ohio and Medicare enrollment periods. To compare plans from the companies they work with, you can request a call from a licensed insurance agent.
Related questions
Medicare after a flood
Drugs, equipment and cards.
Early refills before a storm
Ohio's emergency refill law.
Generators and oxygen
Power outages.
Sources
- eCFR — 42 CFR 422.62(b)(18), special enrollment period for an emergency or major disaster
- eCFR — 42 CFR 423.38(c)(23), Part D special enrollment period
- Medicare.gov — Getting care in a disaster or emergency
- FEMA — DR-4777-OH, Ohio tornadoes
- FEMA — DR-4945-OH, Ohio severe storms, flooding and landslides
More questions in this guide
- Can I get an early prescription refill before a winter storm in Ohio?
- Does Medicare cover telehealth in rural Ohio?
- Does Medicare pay for a generator for oxygen or medical equipment?
- Does Medicare pay for an air ambulance in Ohio?
- What happens to my Medicare after a flood in Ohio?
- What is a rural emergency hospital in Ohio?
- What Medicare options are there in Appalachian Ohio?
Part of the guide: Medicare in Rural and Appalachian Ohio · All questions
Frequently asked questions
Does a storm by itself give me a special enrollment period?
No. There has to be an emergency or disaster declaration covering where you live, and the disaster has to have kept you from making a change during another enrollment period, such as Open Enrollment.
Does a county or Governor's declaration count?
Yes. The rule covers emergencies and major disasters declared by a federal, state or local government entity, not only FEMA declarations.
Is the DR-4945 special enrollment period still open?
Probably not. FEMA lists the incident as August 10 to 22, 2026, so if that end date stands, the period ran through October 31, 2026. Call 1-800-MEDICARE to check your situation.
Can I sign up for Part B late because of a disaster?
Possibly. Medicare.gov says that if a declared disaster kept you from signing up during another enrollment period, you might have a special enrollment period for Part B or premium Part A. Call 1-800-MEDICARE or Social Security.
Medicare in your Ohio county
Plans, local agents and help, county by county: Franklin · Cuyahoga · Hamilton · Summit · Montgomery · Lucas · Butler · Stark · Lorain · Warren · Delaware · Lake · Mahoning · Clermont · Trumbull · Licking · Medina · Greene · Fairfield · Portage · All 88 counties →
