Who qualifies
The rules are 42 CFR 422.62(b)(18) for Medicare Advantage and 42 CFR 423.38(c)(23) for Part D. You qualify only if all of these are true:
- A federal, state or local government declared an emergency or major disaster for the area.
- You live in that area, lived there when the period started, or rely on someone who lives there to help with your health care decisions.
- You were eligible for another election period at the time, such as Open Enrollment (October 15 to December 7), the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (January 1 to March 31) or your Initial Enrollment Period.
- You didn't make the change during that period because of the disaster.
When it starts and ends
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 incident end date in the declaration. If the declaration has no end date, it ends 1 year after it starts (or at a renewal date), and never lasts more than 14 full calendar months.
| North Carolina declaration | Incident period | Special enrollment period ended |
|---|---|---|
| DR-4827, Hurricane Helene | Sept. 25 – Dec. 18, 2024 | Feb. 28, 2025 |
| EM-3637, severe winter storm (102 areas) | Jan. 21 – 27, 2026 | March 31, 2026 |
End dates are our count under the rule from FEMA's incident periods. Both have ended. As of November 13, 2026, FEMA's data shows no newer North Carolina declaration.
An example
Suppose you lived in Buncombe County and planned to switch Part D plans during Open Enrollment in fall 2024, but Helene's flooding cut off your home and you missed the December 7 deadline. Because Buncombe was in the declared area and the storm kept you from acting, you could make that switch through February 28, 2025. A neighbor who simply changed their mind in January would not have qualified.
How to use it
- Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227; TTY 1-877-486-2048) and explain how the disaster kept you from making a change.
- Know which change you missed. The period replaces that one election: joining, switching or dropping a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan.
- Check other special enrollment periods. If your plan is ending for 2027, you have a separate period through February 28, 2027. See plans ending in 2027 and all enrollment periods.
To compare plans from the companies they work with, you can request a call from a licensed insurance agent. More in hurricanes, floods and Medicare in North Carolina.
Related questions
What happens to my Medicare after a hurricane?
What changes after a declaration.
Can I see an out-of-network doctor after a hurricane?
Medicare Advantage disaster rules.
Can I get an early refill before a hurricane?
Drug plans and North Carolina law.
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 for an emergency or major disaster
- Medicare.gov — Getting care in a disaster or emergency
- FEMA — DR-4827-NC, Tropical Storm Helene
- FEMA — Declared disasters (including EM-3637-NC)
More questions in this guide
- Can I get an early prescription refill before a hurricane in North Carolina?
- Can I see an out-of-network doctor after a hurricane in North Carolina?
- What happens to my Medicare after a hurricane in North Carolina?
- Will Medicare replace my wheelchair or oxygen lost in a flood?
Part of the guide: Hurricanes, Floods and Your Medicare in North Carolina · All questions
Frequently asked questions
Does everyone in a disaster area get to change Medicare plans?
No. The special enrollment period is only for people who were eligible for another election period, such as Open Enrollment, and didn't use it because of the disaster. It isn't a new open season.
Does the declaration have to come from FEMA?
No. Under 42 CFR 422.62(b)(18), the emergency or major disaster can be declared by a federal, state or local government entity.
Can a disaster special enrollment period help with Part B?
Medicare.gov says that if a declared emergency or disaster kept you from signing up during another enrollment period, you might have a special enrollment period to sign up for Part B or premium Part A. Call 1-800-MEDICARE.
Medicare in your North Carolina county
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