On August 1, 2024, Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 24-156 declaring a state of emergency for more than 50 counties across Florida. The order comes as Invest 97L is projected to make landfall, prompting preparations in affected areas.
The Florida Department of Health has announced it is coordinating with emergency managers statewide to prepare communities for potential impacts. The department advises residents to ensure they have enough prescription medication available in case pharmacies are temporarily inaccessible due to the storm.
"Under a state of emergency, Floridians are permitted to receive early prescription refills. An early refill may include controlled substances as long as the medical drug is not listed in Schedule II appearing in Chapter 893, Florida Statutes, of the Florida Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act."
The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) also issued a reminder to all health insurers and managed care organizations regarding compliance with section 252.358, Florida Statutes. This provision allows for early prescription refills following an executive order declaring a state of emergency by the governor.
"This notice is a reminder that all health insurers, managed care organizations, and other health entities must comply with provisions of section 252.358, Florida Statutes, which allows for early prescription refills in the event the Governor issues an executive order declaring a state of emergency. This mandate remains in effect until the Governor’s executive order is rescinded or expires."
According to Executive Order 24-156 and relevant statutes, insurance providers must suspend time restrictions on medication refills during emergencies. They are required to authorize payment for at least a 30-day supply if requested by insured individuals residing in impacted counties under certain conditions—such as being under a hurricane warning or when local emergency operations centers have been activated.
All other terms of existing policies still apply during this period. The waiver can be extended further if necessary through additional orders from OIR.
The Florida Department of Health regulates healthcare practitioners and oversees licensing requirements for facilities and professionals within the state. It also works alongside community partners at county and state levels to safeguard public health through integrated efforts.
The Office of Insurance Regulation monitors compliance within the insurance industry across Florida and provides additional information about its responsibilities on its official website (www.floir.com).
Residents can follow updates from both agencies on social media or visit their respective websites for further guidance about preparedness measures related to Invest 97L.