Los Angeles Wildfires
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The ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles County are straining local healthcare resources as physicians and other providers care for patients who were directly injured in the fires and/or emotionally traumatized from the disaster, as well as displaced residents who need ongoing medical care. Local medical clinics, physician offices, and other healthcare facilities have been either destroyed in the fires or closed due to lack of access.
Since the wildfires, several important temporary changes to laws and regulations at both the federal and state levels have been made to facilitate health care for those affected by the fires.
On January 10th the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) declared a Public Health Emergency for the State of California. The declaration is retroactive to January 7th, the date when the wildfires first occurred. With the PHE declaration, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have waived certain requirements under Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program to give greater flexibility in providing medical care for those affected by the wildfires. Additionally, the Office for Rights (OCR) has issued a limited waiver of HIPAA sanctions and penalties during the PHE.
The Governor of California has proclaimed a state of emergency and has issued multiple executive orders to support the state’s response to the wildfires.
The Executive Order on January 8th authorized the CDPH Director to suspend licensure requirements for hospitals, clinics, and other health facilities and agencies that are impacted by the emergency.
The Executive Order on January 10th suspended state requirements for out-of-state medical personnel who enter the state to assist in responding to the emergency; such individuals will be considered licensed, certified, or permitted to provide services in the state, subject to the approval of the Director of the Emergency Medical Services Authority.
Additional resources for physicians and healthcare providers can be found through the California Medical Association and the State of California 2025 Los Angeles Fires website.
MIEC will continue to support our members and keep them updated on this tragic event. For more information on disaster recovery, including wildfire information for Alaska, California, Hawaii, and Idaho, please visit MIEC’s Disaster Recovery page.
MIEC members who have been directly affected by the Los Angeles wildfires, or who have additional questions, should contact MIEC at (800) 227-4527 or by email at service@miec.com.