What Does The Medically Essential Service Program Provide?
This program provides Lakeland Electric customers with reasonable prior notice of power interruption due to scheduled service maintenance. In turn, customers enrolled in the program are allowed time to secure back-up power for their medical equipment.
What Services Are Not Offered By The Medically Essential Service Program?
The program cannot provide prior notification in the event of emergency power failures caused by natural events or unforeseen system problems. In these situations, it is the customer's responsibility to have a power backup system for their medical equipment and an action plan for proceeding to the nearest medical facility.
In addition, the program does not exempt customers from service disconnection if they do not keep payment arrangements or fail to provide information or re-validate their participation in the program when requested by Lakeland Electric.
Participation in the Medically Essential program does not guarantee priority restoration of services. Additionally, it does not automatically offer extended payment options for services or ensure that electric or water service will remain uninterrupted.
How Do Customers Qualify For The Medically Essential Service Program?
If you are a Lakeland Electric customer whose life-sustaining equipment is dependent on electrical service, you can qualify for the program. Here's How:
- First, you must obtain verification from your physician regarding your medical condition, type of equipment and length of time the equipment is needed. Examples of qualifying equipment include oxygen concentrators, heart monitors, controlled medication, and controlled atmospheres. We will ask that your physician fill out a validation form. Information on receiving a form can be obtained via e-mail or by calling (863) 834-1555.
- Once the completed form is received and reviewed for eligibility, you will be able to participate in the program within 48 hours. Lakeland Electric will maintain a record of your power needs, and your account will be identified by a white seal with a red medical symbol on your electric meter.
- Each year, Lakeland Electric will send a validation form to you, requesting your current medical status to ensure that our records are current and that the Medically Essential service is still required.
- When you no longer require life-sustaining equipment, simply call Lakeland Electric at (863) 834-1555 and we will remove your account from the program.
Examples of qualifying equipment
Oxygen concentrator, a heart monitor, controlled medication, and a controlled atmosphere. We ask that your physician complete the linked validation form.
You must obtain verification from your physician regarding your medical condition, type of equipment and length of time the equipment is needed.
