Hurricane Helene Relief
Supporting Partner Practices After Hurricane Helene
Steps We are Taking
In conjunction with local community organizations and government recovery efforts, Aledade market leaders are working to assess the needs of our practices, identifying the most urgent challenges and focusing on practical solutions. For some, this means addressing supply chain issues that might prevent them from accessing essential medical supplies. For others, it's helping with recovery from severe damage. While our immediate focus is on providing fast, scalable support, we are mindful that some practices may face longer-term obstacles, such as property damage or loss, that will require ongoing assistance.
Aledade is also matching employee donations toward Hurricane Helene relief efforts up to $100,000 in recognition of the urgent need to support recovery across our impacted local teams and practice partner communities.
Financial Assistance
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is offering accelerated payments to Medicare Part A providers and advance payments to Part B suppliers affected by Hurricane Helene in FEMA disaster zones. Due to operational disruptions, CMS is providing financial relief starting October 2, 2024, based on 90 days of prior claims. Learn more about the CMS Hurricane Helene Public Health Emergency Accelerated Payments.
Aledade is also offering financial assistance to practices in all affected areas. Practices can apply for advance payments to help maintain operations during this recovery period. We are coordinating with local teams to ensure that these resources are distributed efficiently to those who need them most.
If your practice has been impacted and you would like to apply for financial assistance, please contact your local Aledade team for details on how to begin the process.
Internet Access
The storm has disrupted communications and internet access, which are essential for maintaining electronic health records (EHR) and other digital tools that practices rely on daily for operations. We’re assessing how many of our partner practices need help restoring internet connectivity, and we’re exploring options such as providing satellite internet through Starlink or MiFi devices for practices in areas without reliable cell phone coverage.
Patient Communication Support
Many practices have expressed concern about staying connected with their patients, particularly those who may have been directly affected by the hurricane. Our text messaging capabilities in the Aledade App are proving to be a valuable resource in this situation. By working with our teams, we’re helping practices set up custom communication campaigns to check on their patients and ensure continuity of care.
This technology allows practices to reach out proactively, giving patients peace of mind and allowing practices to streamline their communication efforts during this critical period.