United Power prides itself on providing reliable electric service, but there are times due to weather or other factors that power can be interrupted. Nobody likes power outages, and United Power understands that they can be especially worrisome for members with special medical needs. If you use life-sustaining medical equipment that depends on 24/7 electricity for operation, such as oxygen generators, kidney dialysis machines, and respirators, it’s important for you to put together a power outage plan before a disaster.

Medical Certificate Support

United Power understands that some members rely on electricity for essential medical needs. If you are facing disconnection for non-payment and someone in your home uses life-sustaining medical equipment or has a condition that makes uninterrupted electric service critical, you may request special consideration through a Medical Certificate.

How it Works:

  • With a valid Medical Certificate on file, members who are subject to disconnection for non-payment can enter into a temporary payment arrangement and avoid disconnection for up to 60 days, with a possible 30-day extension upon submission of an updated Medical Certificate. 
  • A Colorado-licensed physician must complete a Medical Certificate confirming that loss of power would put a household member’s health at risk.
  • Once United Power receives the certificate, we can temporarily delay disconnection or work with you on next steps to help keep service active.
  • It is imperative that the member contacts United Power to establish temporary payment arrangements and discuss the status of a Medical Certificate on file. 

Important Information

  • A Medical Certificate does not cancel or reduce your bill. Members are still responsible for charges and must make payment arrangements.
  • A Medical Certificate does not guarantee uninterrupted power. Outages can occur for many reasons, and it is not possible to prioritize power restoration for homes with a Medical Certificate.
  • Members who rely on medical devices should have a back-up plan for power outages.

Need assistance?

If you believe your household qualifies, please contact United Power. We will guide you through submitting a Medical Certificate and discuss payment options to help protect your service while meeting account requirements. Your safety and well-being matter — we are here to help.

Review the United Power Rules & Regulations for complete details of the Medical Certificate provision. 

Have a Back-Up Plan for Prolonged Outages

No utility can guarantee uninterrupted service, and following a disaster, your power could be out for several days. If you use electric-dependent medical equipment, we recommend you have a back-up plan for responding to a power outage. The following tips are good considerations when you are making your power outage plan:

  • If you cannot be without power, plan for how you will obtain power backup. If possible, have a backup battery, generator, or alternate electrical resources. Explore newer solutions, and also consider foot pumps and other simple tools that might suffice when nothing else works.
  • For extended outages, you may want to have a plan for evacuation to another location.
  • Keep a full charge on devices that will maintain power to your equipment during electric outages.
  • Install a special alarm so someone will be awakened if electric service is interrupted during the night.
  • Purchase extra batteries for battery-operated medical or assistive technology devices.
  • Sign up to receive emergency emails and text messages from your local government alert system.
  • Plan for medications that require refrigeration.
  • Additional tips for developing a safe and effective backup plan are available through the Americans with Disabilities Act National Network. 

How You can Help United Power Restore Power Quickly & Safely

  • Always report your power outages or electric emergencies. Do not assume we know about your outage. Report outages via phone or through our website.
  • If you use a generator for back-up power, please notify United Power and use appropriate safety precautions to protect our crews who could be working on the line.
  • Keep your contact information associated with your electric account up-to-date so United Power can reach you in the event of an outage or emergency.