Flood-affected customers in Georgia can obtain early refills of their prescriptions

UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) and its family of companies are authorizing plan participants who are affected by the floods in Georgia and enrolled in its fully insured health plans and pharmacy benefit management (PBM) services to obtain early refills of their prescription medications. In addition, a free help line is available for people who are coping with the emotional consequences of the floods.

Effective Sept. 22 through Oct. 6, 2009, UnitedHealthcare customers who live in Carroll, Catoosa, Chattooga, Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Crawford, DeKalb, Douglas, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Newton, Paulding, Rockdale, Stephens and Walker counties are eligible to obtain early refills of their prescriptions if they have refills remaining on file at a retail network or mail-order pharmacy.

This early prescription refill exception also applies to individuals with prescription coverage through Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement or Medicare Part D offerings, including AARP MedicareRx plans. For mail-order delivery service to affected areas or any other questions related to their prescriptions, health plan participants are encouraged to call the pharmacy number on the back of their ID card, or speak directly to a pharmacist about their situation.

Customers who have been displaced or whose network medical facility is not accessible and require assistance or special accommodations as a result of the flooding should call the number on the back of their medical ID cards. Customer care professionals are available to help people who have been displaced from their place of residence locate an in-network health care provider. In an emergency, customers should seek care at the nearest medical facility.

In addition, OptumHealth, UnitedHealth Group’s health and wellness business, is providing a free help line for people coping with the emotional consequences of the floods. Staffed by experienced master’s-level behavioral health specialists, the help line offers assistance to callers seeking help in dealing with stress, anxiety and the grieving process. Callers may also receive referrals to community resources to help them with specific concerns, such as financial and legal issues.