What to do first
- Get emergency care if you need it. Emergency care is covered anywhere in the U.S., in or out of network.
- Call your drug plan about lost or damaged medicines. Medicare.gov says plans can replace them, help you use another pharmacy and give a 60- or 90-day supply.
- Call your equipment supplier about a damaged wheelchair, oxygen or diabetic supplies.
- Replace your cards through Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE, and call your plan for its card.
- Apply to FEMA at DisasterAssistance.gov or 1-800-621-3362 if your county is in a declaration with individual assistance.
Medicines
If you live in a declared area, Medicare.gov says your Part D or Medicare Advantage plan can replace drugs lost or damaged in the flood and let you use an out-of-network pharmacy when you can't reasonably reach one in network. You'll probably pay full price out of network, so keep receipts and ask the plan to pay you back. If your pharmacy can't reach your doctor, Ohio law (ORC 4729.281) lets a pharmacist give an emergency supply of most maintenance drugs; see early and emergency refills.
Medical equipment
With Original Medicare, Medicare usually covers repair or replacement of equipment it already paid for that was lost or damaged in a disaster, when you get it from a Medicare-approved supplier, and usually covers a rental while yours is being repaired. With Medicare Advantage, call the plan about its replacement process.
Medicare Advantage networks
When the President, the HHS Secretary or the Governor of Ohio declares a disaster that disrupts your plan's network, 42 CFR 422.100(m) requires the plan to cover non-network facilities at in-network cost sharing and to waive referrals until 30 days after the declarations end or the network is back to normal. With Original Medicare, you can use any provider that accepts Medicare.
Changing plans
If a declared emergency kept you from using an enrollment period, such as Open Enrollment, you may get a disaster special enrollment period. Call 1-800-MEDICARE. More in our guide to winter storms, floods and Medicare in Ohio. To review coverage from the companies they work with, you can request a call from a licensed insurance agent.
Related questions
Disaster special enrollment period
Who qualifies and for how long.
Early refills
Ohio's emergency refill law.
Generators and oxygen
Power outages and equipment.
Sources
- Medicare.gov — Getting care in a disaster or emergency
- eCFR — 42 CFR 422.100(m), special requirements during a disaster or emergency
- FEMA — DR-4945-OH, Ohio severe storms, flooding and landslides (August 2026)
- Ohio Revised Code 4729.281 — Conditions for refill of prescription
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?
- Is there a Medicare special enrollment period after a disaster 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
My Medicare card was ruined in the flood. What do I do?
Print or order an official copy in your secure Medicare.gov account, or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227; TTY 1-877-486-2048). For a Medicare Advantage, Part D or Medigap card, call the company.
Do I still have to pay my plan premium after a flood?
Yes. Medicare.gov says premiums are still due during a disaster, and a plan may disenroll you for not paying. Having the premium taken from your Social Security payment or paid by automatic transfer helps.
I had to move out after the flood. Do I need to tell Medicare?
If you move for a long time, update your address with Social Security. If you have a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan and move out of its service area, you may need a new plan, and a move gives you a special enrollment period.
Which Ohio floods had a federal declaration?
FEMA's DR-4945 covers storms, flooding and landslides from August 10 to 22, 2026, with individual assistance in Clermont, Franklin, Hamilton, Licking, Morgan, Muskingum and Perry counties.
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 →
