UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) and its family of companies, including UnitedHealthcare, Ovations, AmeriChoice, OptumHealth and Prescription Solutions, are taking immediate action to assist individuals who may have been affected by the recent floods in parts of Rhode Island. This includes relief to members who may need to refill prescription medications that may have been misplaced as a result of the floods, opening of a free counseling line to all Rhode Islanders and a $30,000 donation to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which helps people affected by disasters like the Northeast floods.
“Thanks to the generosity of Annual Disaster Giving Program members like UnitedHealth Group, the Red Cross is able to quickly mobilize supplies and staff to provide help to people and communities in need”
Early Prescription Refills: Individuals who have been displaced or do not have access to their medications, who call and identify that they have been affected by the floods, will be able to have prescription medications filled if they have refills remaining on file at a participating retail or mail-order pharmacy.
This includes members enrolled in all fully insured commercial products, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement or Medicare Part D offerings, AARP MedicareRx plans and UnitedHealthcare Medicaid (RIte Care, Children with Special Needs, and Rhody Health Partners programs. For mail-order delivery service to affected areas or any other questions related to their prescriptions, individuals are encouraged to call the pharmacy number on the back of their ID card, or speak directly to a pharmacist about their situation.
This policy is effective immediately and will remain active until April 14, 2010.
Help Line: 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.
The toll-free help line number, 866-342-6892, is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for as long as necessary. This service is free of charge to all Rhode Islanders even if they are not UnitedHealthcare members. Resources and information are also available online at www.liveandworkwell.com.
Red Cross Donation: Financial support from UnitedHealth Group is enabling the American Red Cross to rush disaster relief services to communities affected by disasters, including the flooding in the Northeast. The Red Cross is also mobilizing volunteers and supplies into affected areas to shelter, feed and provide emotional support to disaster victims and emergency personnel. UnitedHealth Group participates in the Annual Disaster Giving Program of the American Red Cross.
"Thanks to the generosity of Annual Disaster Giving Program members like UnitedHealth Group, the Red Cross is able to quickly mobilize supplies and staff to provide help to people and communities in need," said Neal Litvack, chief development officer at the American Red Cross. "These contributions, along with the support of the American public, are critical during floods and similar disasters because they enable the Red Cross to rush immediate relief to disaster victims before the first donation has been given."
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