If you have Original Medicare
Nothing about your coverage changes. You can see any doctor or hospital in the U.S. that accepts Medicare, which helps if you're staying with family in another town or state. Medigap policies keep paying too.
If you have a Medicare Advantage plan
Federal rules (42 CFR §422.100(m)) kick in when two things happen: a disaster or emergency is declared for your area by the President, the HHS Secretary or the Governor, and access to care is disrupted. Then your plan must:
- cover Part A and B services and supplemental benefits at non-contracted facilities;
- charge the same cost sharing as in network;
- waive referral requirements.
These rules last until 30 days after the declarations for your area end or access to care is no longer disrupted, whichever comes first. In Oklahoma, the Governor regularly declares emergencies by executive order after severe storms: in 2026, for example, Executive Order 2026-11 on March 6 covered Alfalfa, Creek, Grant, Major, Okmulgee, Rogers, Tulsa and Wagoner counties after tornadoes, and a July 5 order covered Cleveland and Washington counties after storms and power outages. Each ran 30 days unless extended.
Medicines, equipment and dialysis
- Medicines: drug plans can help you find a pharmacy, replace lost or damaged drugs, and cover an out-of-network pharmacy if you can't reasonably reach one in network. Keep receipts. See early refills in a disaster.
- Equipment: Original Medicare usually covers repair or replacement of lost or damaged equipment from a Medicare-approved supplier, and may cover a rental while yours is repaired.
- Dialysis: with Original Medicare, your End-Stage Renal Disease Network can help you find treatment; with a plan, call the plan.
After the storm
- Get urgent care first. Call 911 for emergencies; emergency care is covered anywhere in the U.S.
- Call your plan about pharmacies, equipment and which rules have changed.
- Apply for FEMA help if a federal disaster is declared, at DisasterAssistance.gov or 1-800-621-3362.
- Check your enrollment options. If the storm kept you from changing plans, you may get a disaster Special Enrollment Period.
See our guide to tornadoes, ice storms and Medicare. If a storm forces a move and you need to compare plans where you live now, from the companies they work with, you can request a call from a licensed insurance agent.
Related questions
Does Medicare pay for a generator?
Power outages and equipment.
Early refills in a disaster
Plan and Oklahoma pharmacy rules.
Disaster Special Enrollment Period
Who qualifies and how long.
Sources
- Medicare.gov — Emergencies and disasters
- 42 CFR §422.100(m) — Special requirements during a disaster or emergency
- CMS — Replacing DME and Prescription Drugs after a Disaster (2024)
- Office of the Governor — State of emergency following severe weather (March 2026)
- Office of the Governor — Disaster emergency for Cleveland and Washington counties (July 2026)
More questions in this guide
- Can I get an early prescription refill before an ice storm or after a tornado?
- Does Medicare cover telehealth visits in rural Oklahoma?
- Does Medicare pay for a generator for my oxygen or medical equipment?
- Is there a Medicare Special Enrollment Period after a disaster in Oklahoma?
- What is a rural emergency hospital in Oklahoma and does Medicare cover it?
Part of the guide: Tornadoes, Ice Storms and Your Medicare in Oklahoma · All questions
Frequently asked questions
How do I replace a Medicare card lost in a tornado?
With Original Medicare, log in to (or create) your secure Medicare.gov account to print or order an official card, or call 1-800-MEDICARE. For a Medicare Advantage or drug plan card, call your plan.
Do I still have to pay my plan premium after a disaster?
Yes. Medicare.gov says you're still responsible for paying premiums on time, and a plan might disenroll you if you don't. Call your plan if a disaster makes paying hard.
Will Medicare replace oxygen or a wheelchair destroyed in a tornado?
Usually. CMS says Original Medicare pays to replace equipment you own, oxygen equipment and capped rental items that are lost or destroyed, through a Medicare-approved supplier. Rented items start a new rental period. With a Medicare Advantage plan, call the plan.
Medicare in your Oklahoma county
Plans, local agents and help, county by county: Oklahoma · Tulsa · Cleveland · Canadian · Comanche · Rogers · Wagoner · Payne · Pottawatomie · Creek · Muskogee · Garfield · Grady · Washington · Logan · Bryan · Le Flore · Carter · Cherokee · McClain · All 77 counties →