Aetna Helps Members Affected by Severe Weather in Kansas, Wisconsin and California

Aetna Helps Members Affected by Severe Weather in Kansas, Wisconsin and California

<0> AetnaSusan Millerick, 860-273-0536 </0>

Aetna (NYSE: ) is making it easier for members affected by the flooding in Kansas, severe storms in Wisconsin and wildfires in California to refill prescriptions and access employee assistance, student assistance and behavioral health programs. The company is also extending claim and appeal filing times, and helping members who have evacuated find care outside their home areas, among other steps.

“Our thoughts are with the people who were affected by these events in their communities,” said Mark T. Bertolini, Aetna chairman, CEO and president. “We are committed to helping our members get the care and medications they need, understanding that many may have evacuated from their homes and are unable to use their usual physicians, pharmacies and hospitals.”

Aetna Behavioral Health has opened its Employee Assistance Program (EAP) resources to all Aetna plan sponsors during these times of need. Aetna’s EAP professionals, who have experience dealing with traumatic events, are available to help. Aetna members can contact Aetna EAP 24/7 for telephonic consultation, referrals or general information such as areas affected by a disaster, available shelters and government resources.

The number to call for EAP is and the number to call for the Student Assistance Program is . Individuals and families may also want to reference the following materials.

In addition, Aetna members and health care providers affected by these devastating events who need care or other assistance can reach the company at the following toll-free numbers.

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Affected Aetna members may refill their prescriptions early, as needed, or refill a prescription that may have been lost, damaged or destroyed. Those who use Aetna’s mail-order pharmacy can receive a prescription at an alternate delivery location.

Affected Aetna members also can seek routine or emergency care anywhere, as needed, without a referral or pre-authorization. As part of its disaster procedures, Aetna will monitor the impact on its network doctors, hospitals and other health care providers. The company will work closely with providers to make further modifications to its policies as necessary to ensure members have access to care.

If any additional local, state or federal disaster executive orders or regulations are issued related to these catastrophic events, Aetna will adjust its policies to comply.

Aetna is one of the nation's leading diversified health care benefits companies, serving an estimated 44 million people with information and resources to help them make better informed decisions about their health care. Aetna offers a broad range of traditional, voluntary and consumer-directed health insurance products and related services, including medical, pharmacy, dental, behavioral health, group life and disability plans, and medical management capabilities, Medicaid health care management services, workers' compensation administrative services and health information technology products and services. Aetna’s customers include employer groups, individuals, college students, part-time and hourly workers, health plans, health care providers, governmental units, government-sponsored plans, labor groups and expatriates. For more information, see .