What is required for a missed enrollment due to a hurricane to be eligible for a special enrollment period (SEP)?

To qualify for a special enrollment period (SEP) due to a hurricane, it is essential to have residency in the declared emergency area. This criterion is crucial because the special enrollment period is designed to assist individuals who are directly affected by natural disasters, enabling them to enroll in or make changes to their Medicare plans outside of the standard enrollment periods.

Being a resident of the declared emergency area signifies that the individual has been impacted by the disaster's consequences, such as loss of access to healthcare services or displacement. This residency criterion is a way for Medicare to ensure that assistance is provided specifically to those who experienced significant disruptions due to the hurricane.

While other factors, such as receiving medical assistance during the crisis or home damage, can indicate the severity of the situation, residency is the primary basis for establishing eligibility for the SEP in this context. This focus helps prioritize support for those most in need during the challenging recovery period following a disaster.