Below is some useful information about access to health care, including instructions on how to re-fill prescription medication which may have been lost in the flooding. Information on shelters and legal clinics is also available.

Medicare Beneficiaries

If you live in a county that declared an "emergency area" you have special rights under Medicare:

• Seeing a Doctor:

-    You can see any doctor that accepts Medicare patients, even if your health care need isn't an emergency. You will only have to pay the in-network rate during the emergency period. In some instances you may have to ask for reimbursement from your plan for out-of-area or out-of-network services received.

-    If you are in a Medicare Advantage plan (such as an HMO or PPO), you will not have to meet your plan's prior authorization and/or out-of-network rules.

• Getting your Prescription Drugs:

-     In general, you won't be required to go to your usual pharmacy for a replacement supply if you can't get to your prescription drugs, or if they are lost or damaged. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the federal agency that runs the Medicare Program, expects plans to lift the rules that would normally keep you from refilling your prescriptions earlier than needed.

If you have questions or want more information call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).  TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048. 1-800-MEDICARE can also give you your plan's contact information if you need it.

BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee and CVS Caremark

BCBS of TN and CVS Caremark announced on Friday May 7th that they were temporary lifting certain pharmacy restricts for those Tennessee impacted by recent floods, allowing individuals to refill their prescriptions early to replenish their supply.  This guidance will last for up to three weeks.

For more information about the waivers, members insured by BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee can call the customer service number found on the back of their ID card or go to www.bcbst.com

The Dispensary of Hope

The Dispensary of Hope is an organization that provides medications to patients in need.  There are over 25 dispensaries throughout the State of Tennessee.

If you need medicine, you can go online to the Dispensary of Hope and request assistance.
http://www.dispensaryofhope.org/find-meds or call 1.888.428.HOPE (4673) or 615.284.6468

The Dispensary is anticipating an increase in demand for medications throughout Tennessee over the next 60 days and is accepting donations of medicine:
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit: http://www.dispensaryofhope.org/give-meds if you are able to help out.

Remember: Always wash your hands with soap and clean water (tap water or water that has been boiled or disinfected):

• before preparing or eating food
• after toilet use
• after participating in flood cleanup activities
• after handling articles contaminated with flood water or sewage.

In addition, parents need to help children avoid illness. Do not allow children to play in flood water areas, wash children's hands frequently (always before meals), and do not allow children to play with flood-water contaminated toys that have not been disinfected. You can disinfect toys using a solution of one cup of bleach in 5 gallons of water.

Red Cross shelters are currently operating at the following locations and have room available:

Lipscomb University
3901 Granny White Pike
Nashville, TN 37204

Al Menah Shrine Center
1354 Brick Church Pike
Nashville, TN 37207

Gordon Jewish Community Center
801 Percy Warner Blvd; Suite 101
Nashville, TN 37205

Sycamore High School
1021 Old Clarksville Pike
Pleasant View, TN 37146

First Baptist Church Hendersonville
106 Bluegrass Commons
Hendersonville, TN 37075

For an up to the minute list of Shelter, please visit: http://www.redcross.org/nss/

Mold

Excess moisture and standing water contribute to the growth of mold in homes and other buildings.   Infants, the elderly, or anyone with asthma, allergies and other breathing conditions may be sensitive to mold.  People with immune suppression are also susceptible to mold infections.  Two of the best sources of information about mold and what to do about it are the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) .

Legal Clinics:

There are a number of free legal clinics for those with questions about the disaster relief services available to them.  Attorneys will be on hand to answer your questions on the following subjects:

* Securing government benefits available to disaster victims
* Filing life, medical and property insurance claims
* Dealing with home repair contracts and contractors
* Replacing missing or destroyed wills and other legal documents
* Dealing with consumer protection matters, remedies and procedures
* Counseling on mortgage-foreclosure problems
* Counseling on landlord/tenant problems

These service centers are currently open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday - Saturday.  No appointments are necessary.

Bellevue Community Center
656 Colice Jeanne Road
Nashville, TN 37221

Coleman Community Center
384 Thompson Lane (at Nolensville Rd.)
Nashville, TN 37211

East Community Center
700 Woodland Street
Nashville, TN 37206

Hadley Park Community Center
1037 28th Avenue North
Nashville, TN 37208

Hermitage Community Center
3720 James Kay Lane
Nashville, TN 37076

Repair Guidelines (from Metro Codes)

Repairing electrical systems exposed to flood watr
Restarting heating and cooling appliances
Repair of water heaters exposed to flood waters