Medical Baseline & Access and Functional Needs Sensitive
Get Help If You Use Medical Equipment
What is Medical Baseline?
If you or someone in your household requires the regular use of electrically powered medical equipment or other qualifying medical devices, you may be eligible for our Medical Baseline Allowance Program, also known as Medical Baseline Program. This program may help you offset the cost of operating your medical equipment. Qualification includes confirmation from a medical professional.
How Does Medical Baseline Work?
If you or someone in your home uses medical equipment in your home, you may qualify for the Medical Baseline Program. The utilities recognize that using medical devices may increase your home energy usage. The Medical Baseline Program is designated to help offset those costs by providing additional electricity at the lowest price on your rate. This discount is applied to your bill monthly. In addition to the additional allotment of energy or discount on your bill, the program provides advanced notifications before a utility Public Safety Power Shut-off (PSPS.)
Qualifying for this program is based solely on medical conditions or use of medical equipment. There is no income requirement.
Access and Functional Needs Sensitive
Would the health or safety of you or someone in your home be significantly at risk if your electric or gas service were interrupted? If so, you may self-identify as a sensitive customer and your utility would like to know. Utilities have programs and services that may be of benefit to you.
How to Apply for Medical Baseline
Application
Obtain Application
Obtain application form from utility (via direct mail, online, contact center).
Complete
Complete part 1 of application. You will need Account holder first and last name, Account number, and signature from account holder.
Confirmation
This application includes confirmation from a medical professional. Have your medical professional complete Part 2 of the application.
Send
Return completed application to your utility. Some utilities may offer an online application.
Enrollment
Approval
Application forms are processed within 7-30 days of receipt. If approved, you will start receiving additional electricity at the lowest cost and PSPS notifications within one (1) to two (2) billing cycles.
Renewal
Renewal
Customers will be required to renew their application within one to four years depending on condition or utility.
Medical Baseline Eligibility
You may be eligible for the Medical Baseline Program if you or someone who lives in your home requires the use of electricity to manage a condition or uses medical equipment at home. All applications include confirmation for medical practitioner and there is no income requirement.
You may be eligible for the Medical Baseline Program if you or someone in your home requires:
- use of any electrically powered medical equipment;
- use of electrically powered life supporting equipment; or
- temperature controlled environment requiring air conditioning or heating due to a health-related condition or disability
The utilities recognize that new devices and technologies are being introduced regularly and each application is evaluated for eligibility. Below are a few examples of qualifying conditions or devices that meet eligibility for the MBL Program.
Examples of Qualifying Medical Conditions
- Paraplegic, hemiplegic, or quadriplegic condition
- Multiple sclerosis with additional heating and/or cooling needs
- Scleroderma with additional heating needs
- Life-threatening illness or compromised immune system, and additional heating and/or cooling are needed to sustain life or prevent medical deterioration
- Asthma and/or sleep apnea
Examples of Qualifying
Medical/Mobility Devices
- Motorized wheelchair/scooter
- CPAP or other breathing machines
- Respirator (all types)
- Hemodialysis machine
Note: Qualifying medical devices include any medical device used to sustain life and require additional energy. Devices are for home-use only. Devices used for therapy generally do not qualify.
- Aerosol Tent
- Air Mattress/Hospital Beds
- Apnea Monitor
- Breather Machines (IPPB)
- Compressors/Concentrators
- Dialysis Machine
- Electronic Nerve Stimulators
- Electrostatic Nebulizers
- Hemodialysis Machine
- Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)
- Infusion Pumps
- Inhalation Pulmonary Pressure
- Iron Lungs
- Left Ventricular Assist Devices (LVAD)
- Lympha Press Devices
- Motorized Wheelchairs
- Oxygen Generators
- Pacemaker Monitor/Defibrillator
- Pressure Pads
- Pressure Pumps
- Pulse Oximeters/Monitors (must be used with other medical devices, cannot be powered by battery)
- Respirators (all types)
- Suction Machines
- Heating pads
- Humidifiers
- Pool or tank heaters
- Saunas or hot tubs
- Whirlpool pumps
- Vaporizers
Medical Baseline Certification
Every application includes confirmation from a medical practitioner. A qualified medical practitioner can include a licensed physician or medical doctor (MD), Doctor of Osteopathy (DO), Physician Assistant (PA), or Nurse Practitioner (NP).
Medical Baseline Recertification & Self-Certification
During MBL certification the qualified medical practitioner must indicate whether the patient has a permanent condition, or if not, the approximate duration of the condition. This determines how often the customer will need to re-certify for continued eligibility which varies from one year to four years depending on condition and utility. Utilities will send renewal reminder letters to customers prior to the expiration date. The customers are given plenty of time to submit.
Select your Electric Utility Below to Apply
PG&E Instructions
- Apply online. Upon form submission, you will receive an email with a confirmation number and instructions
for your medical practitioner. - Ask your medical provider to complete their portion of the application and share with them the instructions and
your confirmation number in the email you received.
Or - Download and complete Part 1 of the application form.
- Ask your medical provider to complete Part 2 of the application.
- Send in the completed application form:
Mail:
PG&E Billing Center Medical Baseline
P.O. Box 8329
Stockton, CA 95208
SCE Instructions
- Apply online and provide the email of your medical provider. Your medical provider will receive an email requesting their signature. Please alert them that
they will be receiving an email from SCE.
Or - Download and complete Part 1 of the application form.
- Ask your medical provider to complete Part 2 of the application.
- Send in the completed application form:
Mail:
SCE Medical Baseline Department
P.O. Box 9527
Azusa, CA 91702
SDGE Instructions
- Download and complete Part 1 of the application form.
- Ask your medical provider to complete Part 2 of the application.
- Send in the completed application form.
Mail:
SDG&E Medical Baseline Program Manager
P.O. Box 129831
San Diego, CA 92112-9831
Email: [email protected]
Dial 211
Call 211 for local resources and support before, during and after emergencies, such as a PSPS. 211 is a free service that can connect you with resources and emergency planning information.
Care coordinators at 211 can refer you to resources, including food and meal programs, car rides and hotels/lodging. They can also help you sign up for programs that support those with financial or health and safety needs. This includes programs that offer backup power options and utility bill assistance programs.
to get connected to local resources and support.
211 is free, confidential and available to take your call 24 hours a day.
Video Relay Service (VRS)
Dial 1 (800) 402-4018
This webpage was created in partnership with the Joint IOU/AFN Collaborative Council, including collaboration with:
Additional Resource
- California Health and Human Services Public Safety Power Shutoff Resource Guide
- Disaster preparedness information from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
- CAL FIRE’s wildfire preparedness
- Information on the CPUC’s wildfire safety efforts
- California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services
- California Governor’s Office of Access & Functional Needs
- California Fire Safe Council
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
- Cal Alerts
PrepareforPowerDown is a partnership between Pacific Gas and Electric Co (PG&E), San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E) and Southern California Edison (SCE) and is funded by California utility customers under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission. All rights reserved.
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