Operational Readiness Can’t Wait for the Forecast

Disaster season isn’t just about weather- it’s about operations. When a storm hits, your ability to meet touchpoints, deliver medications, or conduct face-to-faces isn’t just disrupted- it becomes a compliance risk.

Medicaid plans in particular are feeling the squeeze. With smaller teams, tighter budgets, and higher acuity, most plans don’t have the bandwidth to absorb the fallout of a disaster and stay aligned with contract deliverables.

Smart Tips for Case Managers and Clinical Leaders

When a hurricane hits, your care model can’t afford to fall apart. But most Medicaid plans today are running lean- and in disaster scenarios, it shows. Case managers are pulled from one region to cover another. Touchpoints get missed. Face-to-faces slip. And before you know it, you’re facing liquidated damages or audit risk.

That’s why now is the time to build your short-term staffing plan. Impresiv Health can deploy experienced clinical contractors who already understand managed care, regulatory requirements, and disaster scenarios.

We bridge the gap between what your clinicians know and what your systems, vendors, and leaders need to see to act.

Why it works:

• You avoid overloading your core team
• You maintain compliance across all populations
• You get flexible, high-impact support exactly when you need it

We’ve done this before. From Texas to Florida, we’ve helped plans stabilize in the face of major disruption- without missing a beat. When your own staff is displaced, overwhelmed, or focused on recovery, we step in with experienced support.

This is the gap.

And bridging it isn’t optional anymore.

Case Manager Hurricane Hacks: The Essentials + the Unexpected

The Must-Do List (Things Your CMs Should Already Be Doing)

• Review and activate the member’s disaster plan
  • Ensure it includes evacuation location, emergency contacts, shelter needs, and medication access
• Confirm member evacuation plans
  • Where will they go? Who will they be with? How will they get updates?
• Flag high-acuity members in affected regions
  • Prioritize outreach to members with equipment, mobility needs, or behavioral health concerns
• Prepare alternate care plans
  • Confirm mail-order options, identify transport partners, and activate backup contacts
• Support emergency med access
  • Use the EPAP program for members low on meds who can’t access a pharmacy
• Document, document, document
  • Log storm-related barriers, outreach attempts, and relocation details, regulators will ask
• Recommend a simple emergency kit
  • Manual can opener, shelf-stable food, propane, and backup chargers

The Pro Tips (Stuff You Only Learn After Living It)

• Hang clothes up before the storm
  • If they’re on the floor and get soaked with reclaimed water, FEMA may mark them as unsalvageable
• Encourage waterproof document storage
  • Insurance, Medicaid cards, ID, med lists, all should be in fireproof/waterproof folders or pouches
• Know your State & Federal programs
  • HOPE Florida, Blue Roof, Red Cross, and Samaritan’s Purse may all support post-disaster housing, repairs, and care coordination
• Offer emotional readiness reminders
  • Kids’ comfort items, emergency contact cards, and mental health hotline info can help members weather more than just the wind

These tips help your teams go beyond check-the-box outreach and actually prepare members to stay safe, stable, and supported through disaster season.

Let’s Talk

Whether you need a staffing plan, a documentation checklist, or just a partner who’s done this before — we’re here and happy to swap stories, trade ideas, or help move the needle — even just a little.

Danielle Beck, MHA, BSN, RN, PMP, CPC

Clinical Practice Lead | Impresiv Health