Health insurers are responding to members impacted by Hurricane Harvey with solutions to expediteaccess to care and prescriptions, as well as donations to helprescue and recovery efforts.

“Just like their members, health plans are a part of theircommunities and deeply committed to the wellness and safety ofthose who live there,” America’s Health Insurance Plans tellsFierceHealthcare. “When a community is impactedby a tragic, disastrous event like we’re seeing unfold with thisstorm, plans connect immediately with state and local officials tooffer support and ensure those impacted have swift access to thehealthcare, resources and medical services they need.”

Cigna has expanded access to its 24x7telephone help line to those impacted, lifted prescriptionrefill restrictions for customers in counties throughout South andCentral Texas, and waived prior authorization requirements foracute medical care and behavioral health services in affectedareas. Moreover, the Cigna Foundation is making a $200,000 donationto the American Red Cross, and the company has set up an internalwebsite for its employees to also donate.

“Our hearts go out to everyone affected by the hurricane andhope that this donation will help them with their recovery,” saysDavid Figliuzzi, executive director of the CignaFoundation.

Aetna is allowing affected members to seekemergency care anywhere, as needed. The insurer is also lettingimpacted members to refill their prescriptions early, and those whouse Aetna’s mail-order pharmacy can either get a prescription at analternate delivery location or refill a prescription that may havebeen lost, damaged or destroyed.

Aetna is also helping members who have been evacuated from theirhomes find care and behavioral health support, among otherservices. For all of those impacted — regardless of whether or notthey are Aetna members — Aetna has opened its Resources for Livingservices at 1-888-AETNA-EAP (1-888-238-6232) for telephonicconsultation to help cope with the emotional impact of this eventor for assistance with finding resources such as availableshelters, government resources and referrals.

“Our thoughts are with those affected by Hurricane Harvey,” saysMark T. Bertolini, Aetna chairman and chief executive, adding thatthe insurer is also extending claim and appeal filingtimes.

The Aetna Foundation donated a total of $250,000 to the AmericanRed Cross, the Community Foundation of Greater Houston and to TeamRubicon, to support current and forthcoming disaster reliefefforts. Through its Disaster Response matching gift program, theAetna Foundation will match employees’ disaster relief donationsdollar-for-dollar (up to $5,000 per donor per year) to anyU.S.-based nonprofit providing hurricane-related disasterrelief.

Anthem is letting impacted members refill lostor damaged prescriptions at any pharmacy, and has relaxed timelimits for prior authorization, pre-certification or referralrequirements. However, due to federal guidelines, the insurercannot relax these requirements for those in Medicare Advantage,Medicare Part D, Medicaid or Federal Employees Health BenefitsProgram members. “We hope you and your loved ones stay safe,”Anthem writes.

Humana is supporting its impacted Medicare Advantagemembers by covering Medicare Parts A and B services andsupplemental Part C plan benefits at non-network hospitals andother medical facilities; waiving all requirements for primary carephysician referrals; providing enrollees with the same cost-sharingthey would get at an in-network facility; and removing prescriptiondrug limitations such as “refill too soon” rejection notices thatprevent replacing lost medications.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas is providingnumbers to help impacted members, and says it can help themunderstand their benefits; find a doctor, hospital or dialysiscenter; refill prescription medications if they have PrimeTherapeutics; and coordinate or transition their care. “If you'vebeen affected by a natural disaster, we can help you,” the insurerwrites.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana and HMOLouisiana are offering early refills on medications for memberswith Express Scripts pharmacy benefits so they can get neededmedications refilled early if they had to evacuate, lost theirmedications or have limited access to their pharmacy.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, whichprovides health care coverage for people across the country throughits national BlueCard program, is expediting access to care toimpacted members. The insurer is

also making a $25,000 contribution to the American Red Cross,and is matching dollar-for-dollar any donations that its employeesmake

to any 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization helping with the reliefeffort. Matching funds will be donated to the American Red Crossand the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas Employee Fund.

“Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this devastatingstorm," says Andrew Dreyfus, president and CEO of Blue Cross BlueShield of Massachusetts. “We hope our support will help as theybegin to rebuild.”