Special Enrollment Period: Nebraska Emergency Declaration – Straight-line Winds and Tornadoes

Please be advised that a FEMA declaration has extended the state of emergency for certain Nebraska counties. This declaration allows for a one-time Special Enrollment Period (SEP), in the event beneficiaries were unable to make an election during another qualifying election period. Please reference the following guidelines for the incident period. This SEP applies to the Nebraska counties listed below.

Special Enrollment Period: Louisiana Emergency Declaration – Severe Storms and Tornadoes

Please be advised that a state of emergency was declared, impacting individuals in certain Louisiana counties. This declaration allows for a one-time Special Enrollment Period (SEP), in the event beneficiaries were unable to make an election during another qualifying election period. Please reference the following guidelines for the incident period. This SEP applies to the Louisiana counties listed below.

Wellcare Health Plans recently announced four SEPs for residents affected by inclement weather in Florida, Ohio, Washington, and West Virginia. Read below to learn more.

Michigan

Michigan Governor Extends Disaster-Related SEP

Please be advised that due to recent catastrophic events, Governor Gretchen Whitmer has retroactively extended the disaster-related SEP in nine Michigan counties.

An SEP exists for individuals affected by a disaster or other emergency declared by a Federal, state, or local government entity who were unable to and did not make an election during another valid election period.

Incident period: 8/24/2023 - 8/26/2023

SEP start date: 8/24/2023

SEP end date: 4/30/2024

Impacted counties: Eaton, Ingham, Ionia, Kent, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, Wayne
 

 
Alaska

Declaration information

FEMA declaration: Severe Storm, Landslides, and Mudslides

SEP incident dates: 11/20/2023 - 04/13/2024

This SEP declaration is effective: 11/20/2023 - 05/31/2024

Impacted counties for SEP purposes: Wrangell Cooperative Association

 

Kentucky

Declaration information

State declaration: Severe Weather System

SEP incident dates: 03/14/2024 - 05/11/2024

This SEP declaration is effective: 03/14/2024 - 06/30/2024

Impacted counties for SEP purposes: All counties

 

Maine

Declaration information

FEMA declaration: Severe Storms and Flooding

SEP incident dates: 01/09/2024 - 04/18/2024

This SEP declaration is effective: 01/09/2024 - 05/31/2024

Impacted counties for SEP purposes: Cumberland, Hancock, Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc, Waldo, Washington, and York Counties

 

Rhode Island

Declaration information

FEMA declaration: Severe Storms and Flooding

SEP incident dates: 12/17/2023 - 04/18/2024

This SEP declaration is effective: 12/17/2023 - 05/31/2024

Impacted counties for SEP purposes: Kent, Providence, and Washington Counties

 

Declaration information

FEMA declaration: Severe Storms and Flooding

SEP incident dates: 01/09/2024 - 04/18/2024

This SEP declaration is effective: 01/09/2024 - 05/31/2024

Impacted counties for SEP purposes: Kent, Providence, and Washington Counties

 

Texas

Declaration information UPDATE: Renewal and removal of 10 counties

State declaration: Drought

SEP incident dates: 07/08/2022 - Ongoing

This SEP declaration is effective: 07/08/2022 - Ongoing

Impacted counties for SEP purposes: Bandera, Bell, Bexar, Blanco, Burnet, Calhoun, Cameron, Comal, Comanche, Coryell, Culberson, Eastland, El Paso, Erath, Gillespie, Guadalupe, Hays, Hidalgo, Hudspeth, Jeff Davis, Kendall, Kerr, Lampasas, Llano, Maverick, McClennan, Medina, Presidio, Travis, Uvalde, Willacy, and Williamson Counties

 

Declaration information RENEWAL

State declaration: Wildfires

SEP incident dates: 02/26/2024 - 05/24/2024

This SEP declaration is effective: 02/26/2024 - 06/30/2024

Impacted counties for SEP purposes: Archer, Armstrong, Bailey, Baylor, Briscoe, Carson, Castro, Childress, Cochran, Collingsworth, Cottle, Crosby, Dallam, Deaf Smith, Dickens, Donley, Fannin, Floyd, Foard, Garza, Gray, Gregg, Hale, Hall, Hansford, Hardeman, Harrison, Hartley, Haskell, Hemphill, Hockley, Hutchinson, Kent, King, Knox, Lamb, Lipscomb, Lubbock, Lynn, Moore, Motley, Nacogdoches, Newton, Ochiltree, Oldham, Parmer, Potter, Randall, Roberts, Sherman, Stonewall, Swisher, Terry, Throckmorton, Upshur, Wheeler, Wichita, Wilbarger, Yoakum, and Young Counties

 

1. Local Declaration: *New* El Paso City - Migration Crisis
1. See Declaration HERE
2. SEP Incident Date: 2/29/2024
3. SEP End Date: 5/30/2024
4. Counties Affected: El Paso
2. State Declaration: Drought

1. See Declaration HERE
2. SEP Incident Date: 9/21/2023
3. SEP End Date: 4/30/2024
4. Counties Affected: El Paso, Hudspeth

1. State Declaration: Wildfire Disaster - July/August

1. See Declaration HERE
2. SEP Incident Date:  8/22/2023
3. SEP End Date: 3/31/2024
4. Counties Affected: El Paso, Hudspeth

1. Local Declaration: El Paso City Disaster - Migrant Crisis

1. See Declaration HERE
2. SEP Incident Date: 5/1/2023
3. SEP End Date: 4/30/2024
4. Counties Affected: El Paso

1. State Declaration: Renewed/Amended “Border Security" Disaster

1. See Declaration HERE
2. SEP Incident Date: 5/31/2021
3. SEP End Date: 4/30/2024
4. Counties Affected: El Paso, Hudspeth

 

Washington

Declaration information

State declaration: January Winter Storms

SEP incident dates: 01/05/2024 - 05/12/2024

This SEP declaration is effective: 01/05/2024 - 06/30/2024

Impacted counties for SEP purposes: Chelan, Clallam, Clark, Cowlitz, Douglas, Ferry, Grays Harbor, King, Klickitat, Lewis, Lincoln, Mason, Okanagan, Pacific, Pend Oreille, Skamania, and Wahkiakum Counties

 

California

Declaration information RENEWAL: Added additional counties

State declaration: Atmospheric River ("early February 2024 storms")

SEP incident dates: 02/03/2024 - 06/18/2024

This SEP declaration is effective: 02/03/2024 - 07/31/2024

Impacted counties for SEP purposes: Alameda, Butte, Glenn, Lake, Los Angeles, Mendocino, Monterey, Orange, Riverside, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Francisco, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, Sonoma, Sutter, and Ventura Counties

State Declaration: February 2024 Storms
SEP Incident Date: 2/4/2024
SEP End Date: Ongoing
Counties Affected: Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Ventura

State Declaration: January 2024 Storms
SEP Incident Date: 1/23/2024
SEP End Date: Ongoing
Counties Affected: San Diego, Ventura, San Mateo, Santa Cruz

Federal Declaration: FEMA DR-4758-CA Severe Storm and Flooding
SEP Incident Date: 1/21/2024
SEP End Date: 4/30/2024
Counties Affected: San Diego

State Declaration: LA I-10 Highway Fire
SEP Incident Date: 11/11/2023
SEP End Date: Ongoing
Counties Affected: Los Angeles

State Declaration: Hillary Tropical Storm
SEP Incident Date: 8/18/2023
SEP End Date: Ongoing
Counties Affected: Fresno, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Ventura

State Declaration: Winter Storms
SEP Incident Date: 3/1/2023
SEP End Date: Ongoing
Counties Affected: Alameda, Fresno, Los Angeles, Madera, Marin, Orange, Placer, Riverside, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Francisco, San Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Yolo, Ventura

State Declaration: December 2022 - January 2023 Storms (Atmospheric River)
SEP Incident Date: 12/24/2022
SEP End Date: Ongoing
Counties Affected: All California Counties

 

Maryland

Declaration information

State declaration: Francis Scott Key Bridge Disaster

SEP incident dates: 03/26/2024 - 05/23/2024

This SEP declaration is effective: 03/26/2024 - 06/30/2024

Impacted counties for SEP purposes: All counties

 

Arizona

State Declaration: Excessive Heat
See Declaration HERE
SEP Incident Date: 8/11/2023
SEP End Date: Ongoing
Counties Affected: Maricopa

Florida

1. State Declaration: North Florida Tornadoes
1. See Declaration HERE
2. SEP Incident Date: 1/9/2024
3. SEP End Date: 5/31/2024
4. Counties Affected: Clay, Duval
2. State Declaration: "Impacts of War in Israel"

1. See Declaration HERE
2. SEP Incident Date: 10/12/2023
3. SEP End Date: 6/30/2024
4. Counties Affected: Clay, Duval, Manatee, Sarasota

1. State Declaration: Tropical Storm Idalia

1. See Declaration HERE
2. SEP Incident Date: 8/26/2023
3. SEP End Date: 6/30/2024
4. Counties Affected: Clay, Duval, Manatee, Sarasota

1. State Declaration: Illegal Migration

1. See Declaration HERE
2. SEP Incident Date: 1/6/2023
3. SEP End Date: 6/30/2024
4. Counties Affected: Clay, Duval, Manatee, Sarasota

1. State Declaration: “Hurricane Nicole” (Amended)

1. See Declaration HERE
2. SEP Incident Date: 12/13/2022
3. SEP End Date: 6/30/2024
4. Counties Affected: Clay, Duval, Manatee, Sarasota

1. State Declaration: “Hurricane Ian” (Amended)

1. See Declaration HERE
2. SEP Incident Date: 9/22/2022
3. SEP End Date: 6/30/2024
4. Counties Affected: Clay, Duval, Manatee, Sarasota

 

North Carolina

1. State Declaration: Severe Weather Event
1. See Declaration HERE
2. SEP Incident Date: 1/8/2024
3. SEP End Date: 4/30/2024
4. Counties Affected: Chatham, Johnston, Wake, Forsyth, Guilford, Davidson, Davie, Wilkes, Buncombe, McDowell, Mitchell, Transylvania, Avery, Henderson, Madison, Orange

This is an important announcement for agents with customers in California, Florida, North Dakota, and Washington and for those with business in these states. The counties below are under a federal or state designated SEP due to an emergency.

Please note: A disaster SEP application is only valid while the SEP declaration is in effect. If an end date is not listed below, please refer to our Ongoing SEP tracker in Producers’ University for the most up-to-date information. Any SEP applications submitted outside of that SEP’s declaration date will be rejected.

IMPORTANT:

• Please be aware this does not mean that active marketing can occur.
• The SEP is only for the purpose of providing a SEP to impacted individuals who had a valid election during the incident and were unable to make that election due to the emergency.
• This does not mean that Cigna Healthcare initiates waiving of authorization or referral requirements.
• This does not extend waiving of prior authorizations, referrals etc. 
   

SEP for Government Entity-Declared Disaster or Other Emergency

42 CFR 422.62(b)(18)

(Rev. 2, Issued: August 12, 2020; Effective/Implementation: 01-01-2021)

An SEP exists for individuals affected by a disaster or other emergency declared by a Federal, state or local government entity who were unable to, and did not make an election during another valid election period. This includes both enrollment and disenrollment elections.

Individuals are eligible for this SEP if they:

• reside or resided at the start of the SEP eligibility period where a federal, state or local government entity declared a disaster or other emergency. 
• were eligible for another election period at the time of the Disaster Election Period (DST) eligibility period.
• did not make an election during that other valid election period due to the disaster or other emergency.

The SEP starts on the date the declaration was made or the incident start date whichever is earlier. The SEP ends two full calendar months following the end date identified in the declaration or the date the end of the incident is announced, whichever is later.

 
California

Declaration information NEW

FEMA declaration: Severe Storm and Flooding

SEP incident dates: 01/21/2024 - 03/19/2024

This SEP declaration is effective: 01/21/2024 - 04/30/2024

Impacted counties for SEP purposes: San Diego County

 

Florida

Declaration information UPDATE: Renewal

State declaration: Hurricane Nicole

SEP incident dates: 11/07/2022 - 05/17/2024

This SEP declaration is effective: 11/07/2022 - 06/30/2024

Impacted counties for SEP purposes: Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Brevard, Broward, Calhoun, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Columbia, DeSoto, Dixie, Duval, Escambia, Flagler, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Glades, Gulf, Hamilton, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Holmes, Indian River, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lake, Lee, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Nassau, Okaloosa, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Santa Rosa, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Sumter, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, Volusia, Wakulla, Walton, and Washington Counties

 

North Dakota

Declaration information NEW: Retro approval

FEMA declaration: Severe Winter Storm and Straight-line Winds

SEP incident dates: 08/18/2023 - 03/15/2024

This SEP declaration is effective: 08/18/2023 - 04/30/2024

Impacted counties for SEP purposes: Barnes, Cass, Dickey, Grant, LaMoure, Logan, McIntosh, Ransom, Richland, Sargent, Steele, Stutsman, Traill Counties

 

Washington

Declaration information NEW: Retro approval

FEMA declaration: Wildfires

SEP incident dates: 08/18/2023 - 03/15/2024

This SEP declaration is effective: 08/18/2023 - 04/30/2024

Impacted counties for SEP purposes: Spokane County

 

Updates to Cigna's DST application process

Two key updates:

• The date of the disaster is no longer required on any DST applications. 
• The missed election period is not required on most applications. See clarification below.

Keep in mind: Some missed election periods will still require you to input the missed election period AND the date of the missed election period on the application. Some examples include MOV (moving) or LEC (losing group coverage). The application will contain an "open" date field next to the SEP selections that still require a date to help you know when it is required.

Please read below for important application instructions.

For all applications, ensure that the following fields are completed:

• Select "SEP" in the Select Enrollment Period field.
• Enter code "DST" in the SEP Code field.
• If applicable, enter the date that applies for the missed election period. For example, a date is needed only if the missed SEP already required a date, such as moving, losing group coverage, losing or gaining Medicaid, etc. If the missed SEP or election period does not require a date on the application, the missed election period is not required. However, adding it on the application will expedite our review process. (i.e., AEP, OEP, LIS, MDE).

DST is not a stand-alone election period. For questions about DST eligibility, please review Cigna's Election Period grid, found in the Resource Center of Producers' University.

Florida Emergency Declaration – Inclement Weather

Please be advised that a state of emergency was declared, impacting individuals in certain Florida counties. This declaration allows for a one-time Special Enrollment Period (SEP), in the event beneficiaries were unable to make an election during another qualifying election period. Please reference the following guidelines for the incident period. This SEP applies to the Florida counties listed below.