Pedernales Electric Cooperative Launches Medical Necessity Program

“Our new medical necessity program is really another opportunity to facilitate communications between PEC and our members”

Johnson City, Texas – Launching June 1, Pedernales Electric Cooperative’s new medical necessity program will create a registry of residential locations in the cooperative’s service territory where members rely on life-sustaining electrical equipment.

When planned outages or service interruptions for nonpayment are scheduled, PEC will provide advance notice so preparations can be made.

In line with industry standards, the program does not guarantee priority electric service restoration. Members designated in the program are not exempt from planned service interruptions, nor from their financial responsibilities or from the termination of service in accordance with PEC policies.

“Our new medical necessity program is really another opportunity to facilitate communications between PEC and our members,” PEC Vice President of Member Services Eddie Dauterive said. “We will provide additional communications with them to help them prepare and have a back-up plan or system in place. If members are having trouble making payments, they can reach out to our Member Services team to discuss options and alternative arrangements.”

To qualify for the medical necessity program, the location must house someone diagnosed by a physician with one of the following medical conditions:

• Chronic, lifelong: Having been diagnosed by a physician as requiring an electric-powered device to prevent the impairment of major life function. Members do not have to reapply for this designation.
• Chronic: Having been diagnosed by a physician as requiring an electric-powered device to prevent the impairment of major life function. To maintain chronic designation, members must reapply once a year.
• Critical care, lifelong: Having been diagnosed by a physician as requiring an electric-powered device to sustain life. Members do not have to reapply for this designation.
• Critical care: Having been diagnosed by a physician as requiring an electric-powered device to sustain life. To maintain critical care designation, members must reapply once every two years.

Members may request an application by calling PEC at 1-888-554-4732, picking up an application in any PEC office or downloading an application at pec.coop/medical