If someone in your household depends on electrically operated medical equipment, such as dialysis machines, oxygen machines, or heart monitors, Southside Electric Cooperative (SEC) should have a Serious Medical Condition Certification Form on file. This form must be signed and certified by your doctor to ensure proper documentation and account identification.
We have been informed that you or someone in your household has a serious medical condition that may require:
- Ongoing medical supervision,
- Consultation with a physician,
- Administration of specialized treatments,
- Dependence on medical technology (e.g., ventilators, dialysis machines, continuous oxygen),
- Medications with special storage requirements, or
- The use of powered medical equipment or access to water.
Please complete the Serious Medical Condition Certification Form or have your legal guardian or power of attorney fill it out. Be sure that the section requiring certification by a licensed physician is completed. This will include confirmation that the condition meets the definition of a serious medical condition and provides the anticipated duration of the condition, as well as details on any equipment prescribed or treatment required.
Once SEC receives the completed form, your account will be flagged in our system to ensure that you are notified in cases of planned power outages.
While SEC will make every effort to restore service quickly, we cannot guarantee uninterrupted electric service or control the duration of an outage. Therefore, we recommend that you become familiar with any backup features of your medical equipment and explore additional assistance that may be available through your healthcare provider in the event of an extended outage.
SEC also advises that members with serious medical conditions consider investing in a portable standby generator to ensure continued power in case of long outages. Our team is available to discuss the benefits of having a backup generator, especially during major weather events.
Please complete the Serious Medical Condition Certification Form and return it to SEC at your earliest convenience. For more information, visit the Virginia State Corporation Commission website or contact SEC at assistance@sec.coop or 1-800-552-2118 option 7.
Return forms via email at assistance@sec.coop.