Recovering After Hurricane Isaias: Your Neighbors at AJ Health and Wealth Are Here to Help

By Mark Garrett, AJ Health and Wealth | October 14, 2026

To our friends and neighbors in Pace, Milton, Pensacola, Jay, Gulf Breeze, and across Escambia and Santa Rosa counties: we know these have been hard days.

Hurricane Isaias came ashore last Friday night, and its wind and rain reached every corner of our area. Many of you are still without power. Some have serious damage to your homes and property. Others are staying with family, clearing debris, or just trying to figure out what comes next.

A hurricane disrupts much more than buildings and power lines. It breaks routines, separates people from their support systems, and turns simple errands into all-day projects. When you’re worried about your home, your family, and your next meal, Medicare paperwork understandably falls to the bottom of the list.

You don’t have to work through your Medicare and healthcare concerns alone. Our local office in Pace is open, and we’re here to help.

AEP Begins October 15, but Isaias May Give You More Time

Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) runs from October 15 through December 7. This is the yearly window to review and change your Medicare Advantage or Part D prescription drug coverage for 2027.

Medicare also recognizes that a disaster can keep people from making decisions on time. Escambia and Santa Rosa counties are both included in the federal emergency declaration for Hurricane Isaias. That can open a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) for people affected by the storm.

You may qualify for the disaster SEP if all three of these apply:

• You live in an area covered by the declaration, or you rely on a family member or caregiver who lives there to help with your healthcare decisions.
• You were eligible for another enrollment period, such as AEP, during the emergency.
• The storm kept you from making the change you needed.

The SEP begins at the start of the emergency period. It runs through two full calendar months after the official end date listed in the declaration, including any extensions. As of this writing, the federal declaration lists the emergency as ongoing, so no end date has been set yet.

In plain terms, if recovery keeps you from finishing your Medicare review by December 7, you may still have time. This is not an automatic extension for every resident, though. We can help you confirm whether you qualify and which deadline applies to you.

One more thing to keep in mind: changes made during AEP take effect January 1. A change made later through the SEP generally starts the first of the following month. If you can complete your review by December 7, your new coverage will be in place on day one of the new year. If you can’t, don’t assume your options are gone. Call us.

We’re Here for More Than a Plan Review

Right now, your healthcare concern may have nothing to do with changing plans. Here are some of the storm-related problems we can help you sort out:

• Lost or damaged medications. Call the member services number for your Part D or Medicare Advantage plan. During declared emergencies, plans commonly allow early refills or replacement supplies, and they can help you find an open pharmacy.
• A lost Medicare card or plan ID card. Your coverage hasn’t gone anywhere. You can print an official Medicare card from your Medicare.gov account or request one at 1-800-MEDICARE. Your plan can send a new member ID card.
• Your doctor’s office is closed. Your plan can help you find another provider. Ask whether any temporary emergency flexibilities apply to seeing doctors outside your usual network.
• You’re staying out of the area for a while. A temporary stay with family usually doesn’t change your coverage. A permanent move out of your plan’s service area can open its own enrollment window. We can help you figure out which applies.
• A bill or claim you don’t understand. Bring it to us, and we’ll help you figure out who to call.

Whatever your Medicare or healthcare concern, please reach out. We’ll listen, help you understand your options, and work with you on the right next step. If another organization needs to handle the issue, we’ll point you to the right resource.

You don’t need to know the right terminology or have your paperwork in order before you ask for help.

One Step at a Time, Together

We’re grateful to the line crews, first responders, volunteers, and neighbors helping our communities recover, from the hard-hit neighborhoods of Pensacola and Gulf Breeze to Milton, Pace, and up through Jay. Every restored connection, cleared driveway, and act of kindness matters.

As a local business, these are our communities too. The people affected are our friends, our clients, and our neighbors.

How AJ Health & Wealth Can Help

As a licensed independent Medicare broker serving Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, we can review your coverage, check whether you qualify for the disaster SEP, and help you work through storm-related coverage problems. Our Medicare reviews are free, and you’re welcome to reach out whether you’re a current client or contacting us for the first time.

Take care of yourself and your family. When you’re ready for help with Medicare or healthcare, we’re here, with patience, compassion, and a willingness to listen.

Mark Garrett

AJ Health and Wealth

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to prove storm damage to use the disaster SEP?

Generally, no. You’ll be asked to confirm that you live in the affected area and that the emergency kept you from making a change during an enrollment period you were eligible for.

What if I’m already happy with my plan?

Your current plan will usually renew automatically for 2027, but benefits, costs, and drug coverage can change every year. When things settle down, a quick review is still worthwhile.

AJ Health and Wealth is not connected with the Federal Medicare program. By contacting this number, you will be connected with a licensed insurance agent. We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE or your local State Health Insurance Program to get information on all of your options.