After Helene:  Answers to Some of Your Questions

Updated 10/16/24, 3:40 pm

The North Carolina Medical Society is continuing to update information for our members and people across North Carolina with the latest on Hurricane Helene disaster recovery continues.  Here is a list of Frequently Asked Questions.

  •  I need to let state agencies know the status of my practice.
    • Click here for the NCMS Impact Survey and the NCMB Practice Status Form.  Both MUST BE SUBMITTED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
    • If you know someone without internet access you can fill out the form for them or have them call the NCMS at 919-833-3836.
  • I need financial support.  What are my options?
  • I have an emergency or need rescue. What can I do?
    • Call 911 for any emergencies. While some 911 centers are down in western NC, their calls are being routed to other counties in central and eastern NC.
  • I have undocumented patients.  Can they stay in shelters?
    • If a person needs to stay in a shelter, get emergency supplies or needs other types of disaster relief, legal action will NOT be taken. If someone tries to enforce immigration law, report it: DHS.gov/file-civil-rights-complaint.
  • My bilingual staff can’t work right now. How can I help my Spanish-speaking patients?
    • They can reach out to Línea de Salud NC, a free, Spanish-language Health Hotline, at 1-844-438-6827.
    • Mental health resources are also available.  Call the Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990. Press 2 to get help in Spanish.
  • I have questions about food, shelter, roadways, or need other general non-emergency information. Who can I call?
    • You may call 211 for any non-emergency related questions.
  • I cannot stay at home and need shelter. Where can I find out what to do?
    • Visit ReadyNC.Gov for sheltering information and follow your local government’s social media and website for more information.
  • My business or home is damaged.  Who can I email?
    • Residents with questions about the recovery process or Individual Assistance may email [email protected].
  • Who do I contact in my county for the latest information?
  • My practice is open, but we can’t access medical records.
  • My patients need medicine.  Where are open pharmacies?
  • Who do I contact at Division of Emergency Management?
  • I have Blue Cross NC and need clarification on how it is handling Prior Authorization, telehealth, and appeals
  • I use the State Health Plan, but don’t know how to get information.
  • When will I know what recovery programs are available?
    • This will be announced following the damage assessment process with local governments. Determinations are not a rapid process as the disaster assessments take time to ensure accuracy, which can benefit North Carolinians by activating further resources.
  • I need help with clean-up!
    • Yes, you can contact Crisis Clean Up at 910-218-1569 and they can potentially assist with connecting you with volunteer organizations in your area that can be a resource.
  • What roads are open and closed right now?
    • Visit DriveNC.Gov for the most up-to-date information on roadway conditions from the North Carolina Department of Transportation. You can also follow your local government’s social media pages or websites for updated information on roadway conditions.
  • The election is days away and I’m afraid I won’t be able to vote.
  • I need to transfer a patient from Western NC hospitals impacted by Helene.
  • How do I access shelters that manage individuals requiring non-acute medical care by physicians, nurses, etc..
  • I have Medicare. Who do I contact for lost or damaged durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies?
    • Contact 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) for assistance.
  • How do I help my patients obtain and maintain access to critical life-saving services such as dialysis?
    • CMS activated the Kidney Community Emergency Response (KCER) program and working with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Network 6 (Georgia, North Carolina) and Network 7 (Florida), which is responsible under a contract with CMS for assessing the status of dialysis facilities in potentially impacted areas of the impacted states. Visit the Kidney Community Emergency Response (KCER) program website: kcercoalition.com/ Contact: The ESRD Network 6 (Georgia, North Carolina) toll-free hotline is 1-800- 524-7139 and ESRD Network 7 (Florida) toll-free hotline is 1-800-826-3773.
  • I’m a NC physician/PA. How do I get information about Limited Emergency License in North Carolina?
    • NCMEDBOARD.ORG
  • I’m an out-of-state physician/PA and do not currently have a license in North Carolina. How do I obtain a temporary licensure under the emergency policy?
  • I’m a physician/PA with a full North Carolina license. Am I able to volunteer without obtaining a volunteer license?
    • Physicians and physician assistants with a full North Carolina license are able to volunteer without obtaining a volunteer license. Note that PAs who provide volunteer medical services DO need a supervising physician per NC law.
  • I have patients who need help buying food. Who should they contact.
    • Visit this page here.
  • What should I know about Well and Septic Safety following Hurricane Helene?
    • Visit the page here.

 

The NCMS will continue to update this page as more information becomes available.