[blindlaw] FW: Verizon Priority Repair Program

[Norman, Gary C. (CMS/OSORA)]

From: Hsia, Chi-poe S. [mailto:Chi-poe.Hsia at baltimorecity.gov]
Sent: Wednesday, October 03, 2012 11:28 AM
To: Al Posey; Billups, Krystal; Butasek, Meghan; Bowman, Calvin J.; Chrissy Calp; Clary, Colleen; Debbie Staigerwald (dstaigerwald at arcofbaltimore.org); Donna Wells (wells at hcmha.org); Frank Johnson; Gail Wowk (wowkg at dhmh.state.md.us); Norman, Gary C. (CMS/OSORA); Jackie Stone (stone at kennedykrieger.org); Ringgold, Jay (Balt County); Joanne Millar (millar at kennedykrieger.org); Karen Johnson; Knapp, Joanne; Leslie Fries; Linda J. Ploener (ljploener at harfordpublicsafety.org); Lisa Kornberg (LKornberg at GOV.STATE.MD.US); 'lriley at baltimorecountymd.gov'; Lesser, Mary G.; Mike Cook (mcook at dhmh.state.md.us); Nan Brittingham; Nancy Grimm (ngrimm at dhmh.state.md.us); Pam Spring (pspring at dhr.state.md.us); 'ruthwynegar at verizon.net'; Sharon Grzanka (scgrzanka at harfordcountymd.gov); Souders, Marianne; Sue Askew (saskew at archoward.org); Susan Ayers (slayers at harfordpublicsafety.org); Teresa Chapman; Tierney Youngling; Webster, Elizabeth
Subject: Verizon Priority Repair Program

Dear All,

You've probably seen this by now, but just in case, it's good information to push out to your networks.

Office of People's Counsel
Consumer Alert
Verizon's Medical and Senior Repair Prioritization Program

During the recent June 29 derecho, many households experienced loss of electricity service and telephone landline (wired) service.  OPC has been contacted by customers asking whether Verizon has a priority telephone repair program for seniors and customers with medical problems.  The answer is yes.

On January 25, 2011, the Public Service Commission approved a prioritization program for Verizon's customers.  A Verizon customer who is 65 years or older or who has a medical condition requiring repair priority can be pre-certified for repair priority if the customer is without alternative access to E911 service.  For example, alternative access means having use of a cell phone or another telephone line in the household to call Emergency-911 services.

Customers who meet these conditions and file the appropriate certifications will receive priority for repairs (24-hour "out of service" repair commitment) when an outage is reported.

Certificate Renewals

The senior certificate does not need to be renewed, and is valid until the account is closed or a billing name change is made to the account

The medical certificate is good for one year only if the medical condition is temporary. The customer will receive a notice 60 days before its expiration.  If the condition is permanent, the certificate does not need to be renewed yearly.

Medical Certification

The medical certificate may be signed by a licensed doctor, physician's assistant or nurse practitioner.

Applications for the program can be obtained at: http://www22.verizon.com/Support/Residential/phone/homephone/general+support/request+repair+service/repair+priority/129572.htm.

Certifications must be mailed to:

Maryland Repair Priority Program
PO Box 33082
St. Petersburg, FL 33701


C.P. Hsia, MPH
Preparedness Program Manager
Mayor's Office of Emergency Management
City of Baltimore
1201 E. Cold Spring Lane
Baltimore, MD 21239
Office: 410-396-6188
Cell: 443-829-6019
chi-poe.hsia at baltimorecity.gov<mailto:chi-poe.hsia at baltimorecity.gov>

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