Impacted by Harvey and Need Durable Medical Equipment (DME) or Assistive Technology (AT)?

Organizations working with individuals who need durable medical equipment (DME)/assistive technology (AT) or if you have DME/AT to offer, please sign your organization up in Portlight’s Portal to receive/donate equipment: http://documents.portlight.org/disaster-relief/login.php.

Individuals who need DME, manual wheelchairs, walkers, canes, catheters, or diapers can pick these up from the West Gray Multiservice Center at 1475 West Gray, Houston, TX 77019. Items will be distributed 10:00 am to 4:00 pm through September 30^th.

Resources for specific durable medical equipment and assistive technology needs due to Harvey:

• Need a communication device (AAC/SGD)? Make a request though United States Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (USSACC) https://harveyaac.recovers.org/ (log-in required)

• Need your power wheelchair fixed or replaced? Call the power chair hotline provided by Pride Mobility and Quantum Rehab at (800) 800-4258.

• Need medical supplies? If you are the parent or a family member of a child with complex medical needs, and you need specific medications or medical supplies, complete the form found here: http://www.protecttxfragilekids.org/impacted-by-harvey-.html.

• Need Autism-related equipment?If you are an individual with Autism or the family member of someone with Autism and have been impacted by Harvey, please complete the form found here:https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HarveyF2F.

Here are some of the many additional resources that can help replace or repair equipment that was lost or damaged during Hurricane Harvey

• Portlight Strategies has created the Harvey Disability Survivor Hotline (800) 626-4959.
• Texas Technology Access Program works to increase access for people with disabilities to Assistive Technology that provides them more control over their immediate environments and an enhanced ability to function independently. This organization operates many programs that can help people get connected to the tools they need to thrive. http://techaccess.edb.utexas.edu/
• STAR + PLUS Managed Care Organizations Many Houstonians with disabilities, including children and older adults, are insured through STAR+PLUS and STAR Kids managed care programs. These programs can help individuals get address healthcare-related needs in the wake of the storm. The contact numbers and Harvey focused websites for managed care organizations serving Texas Health and Human Services Commission are:
  • Amerigroup: 24/7 Disaster Relief Nurse Help Line: (866) 417-7107; Member Services: (800) 600-4441https://www.myamerigroup.com/tx/pages/tx-storm.aspx
  • Molina: (866) 449-6849 http://www.molinahealthcare.com/members/common/en-US/Pages/texas-hurricane-harvey.aspx
  • Superior: (866) 516-4501 https://www.superiorhealthplan.com/newsroom/IMPORTANT-Support-for-Hurricane-Victims.html
  • United Health Care STAR+PLUS: (877) 352-7798 and STAR Kids (800) 349-0550 https://www.uhc.com/hurricaneharvey

If you do not know the name of a health plan, or do not have the health plan’s number available, contact the HHSC managed care helpline to get the survivor’s health plan information at (800) 566-8989.

Durable Medical Equipment Providers

Durable medical equipment providers can work with Harvey survivors to replace or repair lost or damaged equipment.  Below is a list of some of the durable medical equipment providers in the Houston region and their local contact numbers.

• Great American Mobility: (832) 445-0956
• National Seating and Mobility: (713) 791-9080
• Nu Motion: (713) 791-1011
• Travis Medical Supply: (713) 468-0696

Guidance on Emergency Durable Medical Equipment Replacement

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has issued a blanket waiver to suppliers of Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) where DMEPOS is lost, destroyed, irreparably damaged, or otherwise rendered unusable. Under this waiver, the face-to-face requirement, a new physician’s order, and new medical necessity documentation are not required for replacement.

Suppliers must still include a narrative description on the claim explaining the reason why the equipment must be replaced and are reminded to maintain documentation indicating that the DMEPOS was lost, destroyed, irreparably damaged or otherwise rendered unusable because of the hurricane. For more information, visit:

http://files.constantcontact.com/cc50fd40401/c1fae9ac-43ca-4d20-8baa-cb6eb29cd35e.pdf

Local Durable Medical Equipment Network

The Houston area is home to several non-profits who work to fill durable medical equipment needs, and who have worked together to support Houstonians during Harvey. These organizations are:

• Coalition for Barrier Free Living: (713) 974-4621 http://www.hcil.cc/
• Easter Seals of Greater Houston Bridging Apps: (713) 838-9050 http://bridgingapps.org/
• Living Hope Wheelchair Association: (281) 764-6251; http://lhwassociation.org/
• Project C.U.R.E.: (303) 792-0729; https://projectcure.org/
• Protect Texas Fragile Kids: http://www.protecttxfragilekids.org/
• RSVP: (855) 825-RSVP (7787); http://rsvptexas.org/about-us/

United Spinal Association of Houston: (713) 364-4724 http://www.unitedspinalhouston.org/

UPDATE: Judge Mark Henry has extended voluntary evacuations to include all unincorporated low-lying areas in Galveston County. This includes the communities of San Leon, Bacliff, Freddiesville, Old Bayou Vista and Highland Bayou. Bolivar Peninsula also remains under a voluntary evacuation.

State of Texas

County of Galveston                                     

TROPICAL STORM HARVEY 2017: ORDER OF VOLUNTARY EVACUATION FROM

UNINCORPORATED AREAS OF GALVESTON COUNTY, TEXAS ON BOLIVAR PENINSULA BEGINNING

FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 2017 AT 8:00 A.M.

 

Whereas, on this, the 24th day of August, 2017, Tropical Storm Harvey is expected to make landfall along the Texas coast, with extremely heavy rainfall, tropical storm force winds, and high tides, thereby endangering the health and safety of persons and property within Galveston County, Texas;

 

Whereas, unincorporated areas of Galveston County on Bolivar Peninsula are expected to be impassable due to heavy rains, storm surge, or coastal flooding;

 

Whereas, ferry service to and from Bolivar Peninsula may be temporarily closed due to wind speed or storm surge and State Highway 87, the only evacuation route, is expected to become impassable due to flooding;

 

Whereas, a local state of disaster for Galveston County has been declared; and

 

Whereas, the County Judge is authorized under the Constitution and Laws of the State of Texas to take such actions the County Judge considers necessary for the preservation of life or other disaster mitigation, response, and recovery.

 

that:

Now Therefore, it is hereby ORDERED by the County Judge of Galveston County, Texas,

 

 

1.)        The County Judge FINDS that a VOLUNTARY EVACUATION of persons from the unincorporated areas of Galveston County, Texas, on BOLIVAR PENINSULA is necessary for the preservation of life or other disaster mitigation, response, or recovery;

 

2.)        A VOLUNTARY EVACUATION of persons from the unincorporated areas of Galveston County, Texas, located on BOLIVAR PENINSULA is hereby ORDERED; these areas correspond to the unincorporated areas of Galveston County located in the following Zip Codes:  77623, 77617, and 77650;

 

3.)        Unless any other order is issued to the contrary, this VOLUNTARY EVACUATION

issued herein SHALL BEGIN ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 2017 at 8:00 a.m.;

 

4.)        The issuance of this VOLUNTARY EVACUATION shall NOT preclude the County Judge from taking further actions the County Judge considers necessary for the preservation

 

of life or other disaster mitigation, response, or recovery, including but not limited to issuing an order for mandatory evacuation;

 

5.)        This ORDER shall be given prompt and general publicity and shall be filed promptly with the County Clerk of Galveston County, Texas; and

 

6.)        This ORDER shall take effect immediately from and after its issuance. It is hereby ORDERED on this, the 24th day of August, 2017.

Additional resources to help get your home, family, and business ready to deal with disasters and emergencies:

• • • • Sign up to receive SMS text and email alerts from Galveston County.
      • Read the Hurricane/Severe Weather Guide to learn about severe weather in the region.
      • Get the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s FEMA mobile app to receive weather warnings for up to five locations plus disaster, aid, and shelter information.
      • Watch FEMA’s short accessible video to better understand what a hurricane watch and warning means and how to prepare for a hurricane.
      • Sign up to receive SMS text and email alerts from the National Weather Service and see their suggested weather apps to stay informed.
      • Sign up for the State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry at STEAR or Dial 2-1-1
      • Smartphones enabled with the Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) public safety system will receive emergency alerts for severe weather, disasters, and national emergencies automatically.
      • Get prepared for Texas summers with the CDC Guide to Extreme Heat
      • Create a Pet Emergency Plan
      • Review the  Galveston County Hurricane Presentation 2017 for specific information on hurricane evacuation and re-entry.

Click “Read More” for a list of Hurricane Preparedness Meetings in Galveston County which include the location, date and time.  You can also contact our office directly for more information: 281-309-5002

Hurricane Preparedness Meetings in Galveston County:

Name of Presentation/Outreach	Date	Time	Location
Hurricane Preparedness Breakfast	5/3/2017	8:30am	Johnnie Arolfo Civic Center, 400 W Walker St, League City
Hurricane Preparedness Family Day- USCG	5/8/2017	10:00am	USCG Sector- Ellington Airport, Houston
Friendswood Annual Hurricane Meeting	5/11/2017	2:30pm	1600 Whitaker Dr., Friendswood
Hurricane Blowout- League City	5/13/2017	10:00am	Home Depot Parking Lot- 3200 Gulf Fwy, League City
Hurricane Preparedness Open House- SF	5/18/2017	6:00pm	Library, 13302 6th St, Santa Fe
Hurricane Preparedness Fair- Galveston	5/20/2017	10:00am	McGuire Dent Recreation Center, 2222 28th St, Galveston
Fire Fighter Games- Wally Wiseguy	5/20/2017	10:00am	6th Street, Texas City
Hurricane Preparedness- Gulf Coast Water	5/23/2017	7:00am	Thomas S. Mackey Water Treatment Plant, Texas City
Preparedness Bootcamp (nursing homes)	5/31/2017	10:00am	Doyle Center, 2010 5th Ave N, Texas City
Friendswood Hurricane Preparedness	6/1/2017	10:00am	Friendswood Library, 416 S Friendswood Dr
Xtreme Weather Ready Expo- Houston	6/3/2017	10:00am	George R Brown Convention Center, Hall A
Friendswood Hurricane Preparedness	6/5/2017	6:30pm	Friendswood Library, 416 S Friendswood Dr
CLS Hurricane Preparedness	6/15/2017	7:00pm	1006 S Shore Dr, Kemah
Hurricane Preparedness Meeting- Jamaica Beach	6/17/2017	10:00am	16628 San Louis Pass Rd.5355 Jamaica Beach
Save Our Shores- San Leon	6/19/2017	7:00pm	San Leon Fire Dept, 337 12th St, San Leon
US Coast Guard- MSU Hurricane Preparedness	6/21/2017	9:00am	3101 FM 2004, Texas City
Hitchcock Chamber Hurricane Meeting	6/21/2017	12:00pm	8300 Hwy 6, Hitchcock
Hurricane Preparedness – Kemah	6/22/2017	6:30pm	Community Center, 800 Harris Ave, Kemah
Hurricane Preparedness Town Hall- Texas City	6/22/2017	6:00pm	Doyle Center, 2010 5th Ave N, Texas City
Hitchcock Library- NWS and OEM	6/28/2017	2:00pm	8005 Barry Ave, Hitchcock
Hurricane Preparedness- Bayou Vista	7/6/2017	7:00pm	Bayou Vista City Hall, 2929 Hwy 6, Bayou Vista
Hurricane Preparedness Town Hall- San Leon	7/20/2017	7:00pm	San Leon Fire Dept- 337 12th St, San Leon

Galveston County Hurricane Presentation 2017