Louisiana’s hurricane season is here, Jun. 1-Nov. 30, and Louisiana Healthcare Connections wants to remind all residents that hurricane preparedness also involves healthcare preparedness.
Louisiana Healthcare Connections offers the following tips to help everyone prepare for medical needs during hurricane season:
• Have at least a seven-day supply of any medications you may be taking and backup medical items such as hearing aids, glasses, syringes, or contact lenses.
• Keep copies of medical records in a safe, secure place. This should include medication lists, health insurance information, and contact information for your healthcare providers. Be sure to include information about any specific allergies or dietary restrictions and instructions for any medical equipment you may need. If you evacuate, take this information with you.
• If you rely on a medical device that requires electricity, contact your local power company and emergency authorities, and make certain that you have a way to power your device during a power outage. Make sure that a neighbor or loved one is aware of your situation and knows what to do in the event of a power outage.
• If you have special health needs, talk to your healthcare provider about what to do in an emergency. Make sure your care instructions are written down and take these with you if you need to evacuate.
“At Louisiana Healthcare Connections, we take severe weather very seriously,” noted Louisiana Healthcare Connections CEO and Plan President, Jamie Schlottman. “In the event of impending severe events, we reach out to members with special healthcare needs to help prepare them in case they are affected, making sure they have medical equipment, prescriptions, access to physicians, or other health needs.”
Any Louisiana Healthcare Connections members who need help prior to a storm should call (866) 595-8133 (TTY: 711). In an actual emergency, always dial 9-1-1. Find additional health information at www.louisianahealthconnect.com. Get additional tips on emergency kits, evacuation planning, and other information about how to prepare your family for hurricane season at www.GetAGamePlan.org.