In addition to stocking up on basic supplies like water, flashlights, batteries, and non-perishable foods, consider these five steps to help prepare for a tropical storm or hurricane this season:

1. Prepare your emergency kit with personal protective and healthcare items in addition to food, water, and basic supplies. If possible, avoid crowds at the store by using a delivery service or going shopping before a storm develops. Are these items in your emergency kit?
   
   ☑ Prescription details, including names and quantities of medications and who prescribed them.
   ☑ Copies of your health insurance member ID card and other identification.
   ☑ Contact information for your doctors and pharmacy.
   ☑ First aid kit.
   ☑ Hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes.
   ☑ Face masks.
   ☑ For those with diabetes, blood glucose testing supplies including lancets, test strips, at least two glucose meters with extra batteries, and a cooler with multiple re-freezable packs.
2. To avoid forgetting critical medical equipment during an emergency evacuation, make a list of what you would need to take with you, such as a cane, walker, glasses, insulin, and hearing aids (with extra batteries).
3. If you or a loved one require power to operate medical equipment such as oxygen, nebulizers, or sleep apnea masks, be sure to secure a generator or alternate power source early in the season. This equipment may be difficult to find when a storm is approaching.
   
4. Pre-register for a Special Needs Shelter. These temporary emergency facilities provide care to residents with a medical condition that exceeds the capabilities of a Red Cross Shelter but is not severe enough to require hospitalization. To secure your spot, pre-register by contacting your county emergency management office now. Click here to learn more.
   
5. Take advantage of 30- to 90-day preferred cost-sharing mail-order pharmacy services to ensure you do not run out of your medicine if businesses are closed or you are away from home.
   1. Home delivery of prescriptions may be available. Check with your current network pharmacies to see if they offer local prescription delivery. As an alternative, our members may use a mail-order pharmacy, such as CenterWell Pharmacy™*, which is a preferred cost-sharing mail-order pharmacy on their plan, to have their prescription drugs shipped to them. Members can register for CenterWell Pharmacy’s mail-order delivery by calling 1-800-526-1490 (TTY: 711). Their hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., EST. Please keep in mind that first-time setup takes approximately five to ten days for processing and delivery after prescription orders are received. To see a list of our network mail-order pharmacies, please visit the CarePlus Pharmacy Finder and enter your ZIP code.
      
      ^*Other pharmacies are available in our network.

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