The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently announced that it will extend both Medicare and the Affordable Care Act individual open enrollment periods for those impacted by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria. People who live in counties declared disaster areas by the Federal Emergency Management Agency can now enroll in federal health plans until the end of the year.

“The National Association of Health Underwriters (NAHU) reached out to CMS requesting relief for residents affected by the recent hurricanes,” stated NAHU CEO Janet Trautwein. “We are so thankful that CMS quickly responded by extending the open enrollment period for Medicare beneficiaries and individuals seeking health insurance on the Federal Exchange.

“This swift action will allow the millions of individuals whose lives have been turned upside down the extra time needed to secure health coverage during this difficult time. Many residents in these affected areas lost everything, and creating a special enrollment period for them is just one way to ease their burden.

“In the aftermath of natural disasters such as this, people turn to their insurance advisors to help with the aspects of recovery. At the same time, many of these insurance advisors will be dealing with losses of their own, including damaged homes and businesses, as well as displaced family, friends and employees. Through the NAHU Unite Program, NAHU members have already raised more than $25,000 to help with the relief effort in those areas impacted by the recent hurricanes.”

The National Association of Health Underwriters represents 100,000 professional health insurance agents and brokers who provide insurance for millions of Americans. NAHU is headquartered in Washington, D.C. For more information, visit www.nahu.org.