Disaster Preparedness and Recovery

Recent Resources:

• BCBSLA Hurricane Preparedness 
• FEMA Flood Insurance Fact Sheet

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LDA Foundation Grants for Dentists for Disaster Relief
Endorsed Company Resources and Offerings for Members
ADA's Emergency Planning and Disaster Recovery Planning in the Dental Office
Recommended Checklist for Doctors
Miscellaneous Resources, Phone Numbers, and Websites
Tips, Checklists, etc.
Contact the LDA

LDA Foundation Grants for Dentists for Disaster Relief

LDA grant applications can be found on our website at http://www.ladental.org/lda/dental-resources/lda-foundation. 

The ADA offers support which may be helpful to dentists who may be affected by the approaching storm.  This includes disaster preparation and recovery information for dental practices, through ADA’s Center for Professional Success. More information is at this link:  ADA and ADAF Disaster Support

Recommended Checklist for Doctors

• Stay informed on the evolving event, and share that information with personnel/staff/employees to ensure enough time to take appropriate action.
• Maintain an updated contact list of all personnel/staff/employees, including home phone numbers, cell phones and other emergency contact numbers. Encourage staff to share their personal evacuation plans and their availability for post-event emergency efforts.
• Make decisions early about closing the office, or availability in services provided by your practice to your patients.
• Communicate major changes in your office operations with patients; be prepared to answer questions about rescheduling options, alternative treatment facilities and what they can do to maintain care.
  
• Charge cell phones and laptops prior to event.
• Bring office server and back up files with you in the event of an evacuation; Files may not be easily accessed on another server with different software.
• In the event of an evacuation, take important office business documents, such as insurance policies, payroll information, lease agreements, etc., with you when you leave. 
  

FEMA
Emergency Preparedness Evaculation Info and Resources (GetAGamePlan.org)
Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (Website Resources and Guides)
Evacuation Guides (Louisiana State Police)
Parish Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness Contact Numbers
LSU Ag Center Hurricane Food Supply Checklist

Endorsed Company Information and Insurance Carriers (updated as of 8/28/20)

• LDA's endorsed insurance carrier, Brown & Brown Association Services Professionals, can be contacted by calling or emailing Stormy Blair at 985-674-3886 or 1-888-503-5547, or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
  For flood claims:
  American Bankers = 1-800-423-4403
  Travelers Flood = 1-800-356-6670
  Service Ins Co = 1-941-746-4107
  Wright Flood = 1-800-725-9472 

• Fortress and Brown & Brown Association Services Professionals are dedicated to assisting policyholders. Policyholders impacted are encouraged to contact Brown and Brown at (888) 503-5547 to discuss options for short-term accommodations to assist during their time of hardship. 

• FREE ONLINE CREDIT CARD PROCESSING SYSTEM for all LDA members impacted by the storm. LDA/LDS endorsed Best Card understands that your business is your livelihood. If you’ve been affected by Hurricane Laura, Best Card is offering all of the LDA members that use Best Card a temporary online processing system, waiving gateway fees for three months. This will allow you to run credit card payments on any computer or smart device without physical equipment. If you are not already with Best Card, they will offer you the same online system – waiving gateway fees for three months and on our low pricing we offer all LDA members. Additionally, we will waive any early termination fees. 

  Best Card is committed to supporting you in the coming days, weeks, and months. They are here to help you recover quickly so that you can come back stronger than ever. If you need any assistance with your credit card processing due to the impact of the storm, they are here to help.  Call Best Card at 877-739-3952.

• Campus Federal Credit Union - For more information on disaster relief or how to become a member call 1-888-769-8841. Click here for a preparation checklist.
  

• And for members who have the ADA Preferred Reward Visa Card, there is a special program for dentists.  Affected members should call the special dental toll-free service line (1.866.951.3869) to inform them they were impacted by the severe weather.
  

• The Dentists Supply Company – TDSC.com
  To Order Supplies – tdsc.com/louisiana  or call 1-888-253-1223. Significant savings on dental supplies.
  
  
• Switch now to iCoreExchange cloud-based, HIPAA-compliant email to quickly coordinate emergency care and communications. Rely on iCoreExchange no matter where you are when disaster strikes. Send and receive large attachments without limits. Communicate with full HIPAA compliance. iCoreExchange provides daily convenience for your practice and is always crisis ready. LDA members receive special discount pricing on iCoreExchange. Call 1-888-810-7706 or book a demo now at iCoreConnect.com/LDA.

Miscellaneous Resources, Phone Numbers, and Websites

Federal Disaster Assistance: The first step you should take is apply for federal financial aid by registering with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Disaster assistance applicants, who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call 1-800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice.

American Red Cross Flood Information for Louisiana: http://www.redcross.org/local/louisiana/flood-information or call 1-866-GET INFO (438-4636); Baton Rouge ARC - 225-291-4533; New Orleans ARC - 504-620-3105; Shreveport ARC - 318-865-9545; Monroe ARC - 318-323-5141; Alexandria ARC - 318-442-6621; Lafayette ARC - 337-234-7371; or Covington ARC - 504-620-3105.

Governors Office of Emergency Preparedness (Many resources, packing lists and preparation lists): www.gohsep.la.gov  or http://www.getagameplan.org/

Department of Insurance Resources: https://www.ldi.la.gov/floodrecovery/  

Louisiana Department of Economic Development Flood Recovery Assistance: http://www.opportunitylouisiana.com/flood-recovery-assistance

Disaster Nutrition Plan: http://www.dcfs.louisiana.gov/index.cfm?md=pagebuilder&tmp=home&pid=360 (If your household is impacted by damages or lost wages due to a hurricane or other diaster (like flooding), you may qualify for DSNAP. DSNAP provides eligible low- to moderate-income households - who do not normally receive SNAP benefits - with help buying groceries due to lost income or damages following a disaster.)

NAIC Disaster Preparedness Insurance Tips

• Take an inventory of your valuables and belongings. This includes taking photographs or a video of each room. This will help your insurance company process claims more quickly by providing documentation of your belongings.
• To enable filing claims more quickly, keep sales receipts and/or canceled checks. Also note the model and serial numbers of the items in your home inventory.
• To protect your belongings in case disaster strikes, make sure you have adequate insurance coverage and that your insurance policies are up to date.
• Store copies of all your insurance policies in a safe location away from your home that is easily accessible in case of disaster. You might want to store your policies and inventory in a waterproof, fireproof box or in a safe, remote location such as a bank safe deposit box. Consider leaving a copy of your inventory with relatives, friends or your insurance provider and store digital pictures in your email or on a Web site for easy retrieval.
• Know what is (and is not) covered by your insurance policy. You might need additional protection depending on where you live.
• Appraise your home periodically to make sure your insurance policy reflects home improvements or renovations. Contact your insurance provider annually to review and update your insurance policy as needed.
• Keep a readily available list of 24-hour contact information for each of your insurance providers.
• Find out if your possessions are insured for the actual cash value or the replacement cost. Actual cash value is the amount it would take to repair or replace damage to your home or possessions after depreciation. Replacement cost is the amount it would take to repair or replace your home or possessions without deducting for depreciation. Speak with your insurance provider to determine whether purchasing replacement coverage is worth the cost.
• As you acquire more valuables — jewelry, family heirlooms, antiques, art — consider purchasing an additional “floater” or “rider” to your policy to cover these special items. These types of items typically are not covered by a basic homeowners or renter’s insurance policy.
• Remember to include in your home inventory those items you rarely use (e.g., holiday decorations, sports equipment, tools, etc.)
• Speak with your insurance provider to find out if your policy covers additional living expenses for a temporary residence if you are unable to live in your home due to damage from a disaster.

Emergency Preparedness Checklist:

• Send copies of important documents to your out-of-town contact person.
• Have a pet care plan. Shelters do not always accept pets. Contact your local animal shelter.
• Prepare a medical information list that includes the names and contact information for medical providers, health insurance information, medications you use, adaptive and support equipment you use, allergies and sensitivities and special care instructions.
• Items for a Disaster Supply Kit include: nonperishable food, bottled water, non-electric can opener, paper/plastic utensils, toiletries/personal hygiene items, water purification tablets, important documents, First Aid Kit, flashlight and batteries, bug repellent, sun-screen, battery operated radio, booster cables, auto tire repair kit.
  
  

Important Family Documents:
(Keep these records in a waterproof, portable container)

• Copy of will, insurance policies, contracts, deeds, stocks and bonds
• Copy of passports, Social Security cards, immunization records
• Record of credit card accounts
• Record of bank account numbers, names, and phone numbers
• Family records (birth, marriage, death certificates)
• Copy of Supplemental Security Income award letter
  
  

NAIC Post-Disaster Insurance Tips

• Call your agent or insurance company’s claims hotline and file your claim as soon as possible. Remember to have your policy number and other relevant information readily available. Your policy might require that you make the notification within a certain time frame.
• Collaborate with your insurance company. Ask what documents, forms and data you will need to file a claim. Provide your insurance company with accurate, detailed information. Incorrect or incomplete information will cause a delay in processing your claim.
• Keep a log of all conversations with insurance companies, creditors or relief agencies. Keep copies and records of all correspondence. Write down information about your telephone and in-person discussions, including the date, name and title of the person you spoke with and what was said. Also keep a record of your time and expenses.
• If your home is damaged to the extent that you cannot live there, ask your insurance company if your policy covers additional living expenses.
• Take photographs or a video of the damage.
• Your homeowners and auto policies might require you to make temporary repairs to protect your property from further damage. If possible, take photographs or a video of the damage before making temporary repairs.
• Save all receipts from the temporary and permanent repairs covered by your insurance policy. Your policy should cover the cost of these temporary repairs.
• You might want to postpone permanent repairs until your insurance company has inspected the property and you have reached an agreement on the repair costs. Be prepared to provide the claims adjuster with records of any improvements you made prior to the damage.
• When possible, determine what it will cost to repair your property before you meet with the claims adjuster. Ask the claims adjuster for an itemized explanation of the claim settlement offer.
• If the first offer made by an insurance company does not meet your expectations, be prepared to negotiate the offer.
• Secure bids from multiple contractors. Ask for at least three references and check with your state licensing board and the Better Business Bureau about the contractor’s record. Ask for proof of necessary licenses, building permits, insurance and bonding. Record the contractor’s license plate number and driver’s license number.
• Be wary of contractors who demand payment in full before work is completed. If the contractor needs payment to buy supplies, accompany the contractor and pay the supplier directly.
• If you cannot cover all of your living expenses following a disaster, contact your creditors to negotiate a payment plan.
• If you are injured in the disaster, ask your physician to provide your insurance company with details about your treatment, medical conditions and prognosis.
• If you suspect a medical provider is overcharging, ask the insurance company to audit the bill and verify whether the provider used the proper billing procedure.
• If there is a disagreement about a claim, ask the company for a written letter explaining the reason for the denial and the specific policy language under which the claim is being denied. If you have any questions regarding the fairness of your settlement, contact your state insurance department for assistance.

Whom to Contact About Replacement of Important Documents: