SAFE through Medicare Act

The "Survival Aid For Emergencies through Medicare Act" proposes to amend the Social Security Act, expanding Medicare coverage to include medically necessary home resiliency services . This new coverage is specifically for individuals determined to be medically at-risk in the event of climate or manmade disasters, aiming to enhance their safety and well-being during emergencies. These home resiliency services, available starting January 1, 2027, encompass items and services deemed medically essential by the Secretary. Examples include heat pumps for those vulnerable to extreme temperatures, solar batteries for individuals relying on electrical medical equipment, and energy-efficient cold storage for heat-sensitive medical supplies. The bill mandates that Medicare will cover 100 percent of the cost for these approved services, based on a fee schedule established by the Secretary. A crucial aspect of this legislation involves the Secretary, in consultation with health and climate experts, establishing a process to identify individuals who are medically at-risk. This determination will consider factors such as geography-specific climate risks , regional disaster history, reliance on medical equipment sensitive to environmental conditions, and existing chronic medical conditions or disabilities that increase vulnerability during disasters.