In short
In Tampa Bay, each county keeps its own list of residents who need help to evacuate or a place in a special needs shelter. In Hillsborough, register online or call the Department of Health at 813-307-8063. In Pinellas, call Emergency Management at 727-464-3800. In Pasco, call Emergency Management at 727-847-8137. Register before a storm threatens; the county decides who is accepted. Then ask your Medicare plan how care and refills work away from home.
A useful next step
- Start with your county: Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco each keep a separate registry, and the county decides who is accepted.
- Register before hurricane season: Hillsborough through the Department of Health (813-307-8063), Pinellas through Emergency Management (727-464-3800), Pasco through Emergency Management (727-847-8137).
- Ask your Medicare plan or 1-800-MEDICARE how care and refills work if you have to leave home, and keep your coverage cards with your emergency supplies.
A question to keep
Ask Medicare or my Medicare plan about the problem getting care or prescriptions and the steps available now.
Questions people in Tampa Bay ask
- Do I need to renew my special needs registration every year?
- It depends on the county. Pasco County asks registrants to renew every year. Pinellas County contacts every registrant each year to confirm their information and removes people who do not respond. In Hillsborough, ask the Department of Health at 813-307-8063 how to keep your registration current.
- Can I register once a storm is on the way?
- Do not wait. Hillsborough County says registration stops when evacuation efforts begin, and Pasco stops taking applications five days before a hurricane or tropical storm. Pinellas keeps registration open all year but asks residents not to wait for an evacuation.
- What Medicare questions should I ask before hurricane season?
- Ask your Medicare plan, or 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) if you have Original Medicare, how you would get care if you evacuate. Medicare says drug plans can help members in a declared disaster area find another pharmacy or replace medicine left behind.
Official starting point
Read the official resource ↗Preparation guidance checked October 10, 2026. Ask the responsible service to confirm what applies to you.