Several national health insurers pledged assistance in the wake of Hurricane Harvey's landfall and subsequent catastrophic flooding.
Here are four insurer initiatives to bring disaster relief to affected policyholders and nonmember residents.
1. Louisville, Ky.-based Humana allocated an immediate $250,000 grant to the American Red Cross Aug. 26. The payer also opened its toll-free crisis intervention hotline and counseling services to affected individuals, including nonmembers.
2. Affected policyholders of Minnetonka, Minn.-based UnitedHealth Group's UnitedHealthcare and Optum received access to early prescription refills and an emotional-support line, also open to nonmembers.
3. Hartford, Conn.-based Aetna will contribute $100,000 to the American Red Cross, $100,000 to the Community Foundation of Greater Houston and $50,000 to Team Rubicon to support disaster relief efforts. The payer also offered its affected members the option to refill prescriptions early, as well as refills for damaged, lost or destroyed mail-order prescriptions. The payer is extending claim and appeal filing times.
4. The Cigna Foundation in Bloomfield, Conn., will donate $100,000 to the American Red Cross and will activate a company website to allow employees to request matching funds for their donations to the organization. The insurer expanded its 24/7 telephone help line to all residents affected in the region, and lifted prescription refill restrictions for affected customers. In addition, Cigna waived preauthorization requirements for acute medical care and behavioral health services in affected areas.