Insurers are offering early prescription refills and easing prior authorizations as Hurricane Milton approaches Florida.
The category four storm is expected to make landfall in the Tampa Bay region on the evening of Oct. 9.
Hurricane Milton comes weeks after Hurricane Helene, which caused devastating flooding across several Southeastern states, and left more than 230 dead, according to NBC News.
Here are 5 things to know about insurers' responses:
- Florida Blue is offering early refills on up to a 30-day supply of medications for members. The insurer covers Medicare Advantage benefits at non-network hospitals and other medical facilities during states of emergency.
- Other insurers are easing access to medication during the storm. CVS Health will provide emergency refills for 10-day supplies of medication. Sunshine Health, Centene's Florida subsidiary, will also provide emergency refills. Elevance Health also eases refill requirements during disasters A Humana spokesperson told Becker's the insurer is offering early perscription refills and suspending prior authorization requirements in declared disaster areas.
- Some insurers will ease prior authorization requirements during the storm. A UnitedHealthcare spokesperson told Becker's the insurer will waive prior authorization for facility transfers in affected areas, and has waived some gatekeeper referral requirements. Sunshine Health has waived some prior authorization requirements for critical medical services, post-acute care and inpatient transfers. The insurer will not require notification of emergency admissions.
- Several insurers have made contributions to relief efforts in the wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The United Health Foundation made a $1 million contribution to the American Red Cross to support emergency recovery, a spokesperson said. Humana contributed $1 million to multiple organizations, including World Central Kitchen. Elevance Health is providing $1 million to organizations in areas affected by the storms, including Volunteer Florida, Second Harvest of South Georgia, United Way of Southwest Virginia, Second Harvest of East Tennessee, United Way of North Carolina and Kelly's Kitchen.
- Payers are promoting behavioral and telehealth resources for those in the path of the storms. Cigna is offering one free behavioral health or urgent care visit through its telehealth platform for people in impact areas. Florida Blue is offering a bilingual 24/7 support hotline at no cost to members. A Humana spokesperson said the insurer is providing community-wide access to a crisis intervention hotline and counseling services. Capital Blue Cross will provide a maximum of five free VirtualCare visits for members in states with a declared emergency.