Aetna offers premium payments, file claims extensions to customers affected by storms

Aetna (NYSE: AET) is offering fully insured health plan customers, including Medicare members, in Ohio's Wood, Ottawa and Fulton counties an extra two months to make premium payments and file claims, among other assistance. People in those counties were affected by tornados and severe weather in early June.

“Our deepest concern and sympathies go out to those impacted by the floods and tornados”

Affected customers have an additional 60 days, interest free, to make payments that would have been due between June 5 and September 10 of this year. Also, an additional 60 days is available to these customers for filing claims, submitting additional information required for claim processing, and for level I and level II appeals that are due during that time period. Health care providers are similarly being granted a 60-day extension for deadlines falling within that time period.

The State of Ohio requested that insurance companies make these accommodations.

Following the storms, Aetna immediately offered all affected members early refills on their prescriptions and replacement prescriptions as needed for those who use Aetna's mail-order pharmacy. People displaced by the storms can receive a replacement prescription at an alternate delivery location or refill a prescription that may have been lost, damaged or destroyed by the floods and tornados.

"Our deepest concern and sympathies go out to those impacted by the floods and tornados," said Jay Timm, Aetna's Ohio president. "When these unfortunate events happen, Aetna's focus is always on helping our members get the care they need, recognizing that many may have been evacuated from their homes and may not be able to use their usual pharmacies, physicians and hospitals. We are happy to offer the additional assistance."

Aetna members who have been affected by the storms and need assistance on these matters can reach Aetna at the following toll-free telephone numbers:

• Aetna Member Services: 1-800-443-AETNA (1-800-443-2386)
• Aetna Specialty Pharmacy Customer Service: 1-866-782-ASRX (1-866-782-2779)
• Aetna Pharmacy Home Delivery Customer Service: 1-866-612-3862 or 1-800-227-5720