Updated Jan. 15, 3:30 p.m.
As deadly fires continue to rage in Los Angeles, healthcare companies far and wide are stepping up to serve those affected. At least 24 people have died from the fires, and dozens remain missing.
Sesame, a healthcare marketplace offering appointments at cash prices for patients on high-deductible health plans or without insurance, has made a number of services available for free. Los Angeles residents impacted can access $0 telehealth visits, prescription refill appointments and online talk therapy. The telehealth visits include referrals and can be used for urgent or routine care. They do not include labs or diagnostic tests, controlled substance prescriptions or workers' compensation paperwork. The cost of medications is not covered.
During COVID-19, Sesame offered free testing in conjunction with the California Department of Public Health. The company plans to continue stepping up with free or deeply discounted services episodically, a spokesperson said, regardless of whether they are caused by environmental factors.
“We are obviously eager to step in here and help to fill a real need, particularly for Californians who may have lost their prescription medications, or need emergency refills,” Michael DiLorenzo, Sesame’s chief marketing officer, told Fierce Healthcare. “We want to keep the focus on where it needs to be, which is getting help to the overwhelming number of families that have been so deeply affected and even displaced by these wildfires.”
In a similar vein, prescription savings platform GoodRx has offered free virtual visits to affected residents. They can use the code LA-GOODRX-CARE to be seen by a provider on GoodRx Care for a number of conditions, regardless of insurance status. They can also get refills for existing medications.
“As someone directly impacted by the L.A. fires and co-founder of a company built in the heart of Santa Monica, it’s important to me and everyone at GoodRx that we do our part to ensure those affected are able to access their medications and manage their health during this time,” Doug Hirsch, co-founder of GoodRx, said in a press release. “We want anyone who has been displaced during the fires to be able to get the care they need, including emergency refills for medications that may have been damaged or left behind.”
Virtual provider Teladoc Health is offering free telehealth visits and prescription refills for non-narcotic drugs to those impacted. They can call Teladoc Health directly at 855-225-5032. Common conditions that can be diagnosed and treated as part of this offering include respiratory infections, allergies, sinus problems, cold and flu symptoms, urinary tract infections and many other nonemergency illnesses. The company deploys resources each year to respond to federally declared natural disasters across the U.S., making virtual care services free to communities impacted by floods, storms, fires and other public emergencies.
“Virtual care is a proven solution that supports community health during these times, and we are grateful to provide access to care for those facing devastation and displacement," Vidya Raman-Tangella, chief medical officer at Teladoc Health, told Fierce Healthcare.
Magellan Health has opened a complimentary 24-hour crisis line for anyone impacted by the fires, at 1-800-327-7451. Callers may also seek guidance on other resources, like community-based support. Magellan, a Centene subsidiary, offers behavioral health services to payers, MCOs, employers, labor unions, federal agencies and third-party administrators.
UpToDate offers several free resources on burns, carbon monoxide and inhalation injury from heat, smoke or chemical irritants to assist in diagnosis, management and treatment after exposure.
Federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) are responding to those affected by the wildfires and themselves have been affected. AltaMed Health Services, a major FQHC operator, launched a relief fund to support patients and employees affected by the Eaton fire. The fire, among the most destructive in LA history, destroyed an AltaMed primary care clinic in Pasadena, which was safely evacuated last week. Evacuation orders also impacted other AltaMed clinics in the area, which remain temporarily closed. Several hundred AltaMed employees have been displaced and more than a dozen have lost their homes.
AltaMed Foundation launched the fund, and all money raised will help cover the services being offered to evacuees at the Pasadena Convention Center.
“We have launched the AltaMed Fire Relief Fund to provide desperately needed immediate assistance to our patients and employees who have been impacted by the fires,” Sharlene Risdon Jackson, vice president for foundation development, said in a press release. "Today, we are calling on those who can contribute to please make a donation and help us stabilize our patients and neighbors during this time of tragedy.”
The Walgreens Foundation is also collecting donations across its stores nationwide. It will focus on providing funding, supplies and products to nonprofits on the ground. Examples include charities offering shelter and food, the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, the LA Unified School District Education Foundation Emergency Relief Fund and the California Fire Foundation Wildfire & Disaster Relief Fund. Through a separate fund, Walgreens is supporting team members who have been displaced.
Meanwhile, the Association of Cancer Care Centers has announced its own fundraising effort in support of the Firefighter Cancer Support Network. The association will match all donations up to $10,000 to bolster their vital support services for firefighters and cancer prevention training programs. The occupation is classified as carcinogenic to humans, with firefighters facing a 14% higher risk of cancer-related deaths compared to the general population.
The National Association of Community Health Centers is working with its longtime partner Direct Relief to distribute essential medical aid throughout Southern California, a spokesperson said. Emergency supplies include N95 respirators and protective gear, essential prescription medicines and Tdap vaccines, medical supplies and personal care items for evacuees. It is also working with the International Medical Corps and other nonprofits that are coordinating relief efforts to assist impacted health centers. "Their swift response and dedication to our communities during this crisis has been invaluable," the NACHC spokesperson said.
Anthem Blue Cross and the Anthem Blue Cross Foundation, a philanthropic arm of Elevance Health Foundation, have launched an initial $10 million in new grants to aid community resiliency and disaster response efforts in Southern California. The funding will help bolster partnerships with organizations focused on immediate aid like food and medical care, as well as long-term recovery elements like mental healthcare, economic assistance and rebuilding efforts. The foundation will also match funds donated by employees to select charities.
L.A. Care Health Plan, a large publicly operated plan, is also taking action. Its members are allowed to fill prescriptions early or fill them at an out-of-network pharmacy if they are without their medications. The plan will also accommodate changes to medical transportation needs and help make reservations for a future date or alternative facility if needed.
“L.A. Care Health Plan is deeply concerned about the welfare of its members and their communities in the wake of the devastating wildfires that are burning across Los Angeles County, leading the Governor to declare a state of emergency,” Sameer Amin, M.D., chief medical officer at L.A. Care, said in a statement. “The health plan is committed to ensuring members have access to the care and medications they need during this challenging time. L.A. Care has taken a number of steps to assist members affected by the fires.”
Additionally, the plan has relaxed certain prior authorization requirements related to hospital discharge, and its case management team is actively reaching out to high-risk members to coordinate care in this time of need.
Similarly, UnitedHealthcare and Optum are offering special benefits including early prescription refills, waiving authorization for transfers to Special Needs Facilities and relaxed time limits for prior authorizations. The payer is also offering grace periods for payments that can be made after a due date without a penalty.
Walgreens is offering free same-day prescription delivery to patients in the Los Angeles area through Feb. 9. On its site, it says its pharmacists may dispense emergency medication refills for most medications without prescriber authorization during a declared emergency. Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy patients residing in emergency areas will get outreach from patient care advocates to discuss alternate delivery arrangements.
Members who are struggling with their mental health are encouraged to take advantage of L.A. Care's behavioral health services. The plan is also referring people to the SAMHSA 24-hour Disaster Distress Helpline, a free national hotline that offers immediate crisis counseling. Members can also contact L.A. Care’s 24/7 member services line to get more information. Optum is offering a free emotional-support hotline for everyone at 866-447-3573.
L.A. Care is working with community partners to determine how to use its network or L.A. Care and Blue Shield Promise Community Resource Centers across the county. These centers were all open last Saturday, offering emergency kits and referral support for additional services needed. And the plan is offering emergency paid time off for those directly impacted by the wildfires.
CVS Pharmacy stores are reopening where it is safe to do so. For stores that have not yet been reopened, its phone lines will be rerouted to a nearby open CVS Pharmacy location. CVS Caremark is allowing pharmacy claims for one-time emergency refills of a 30-day supply of medication for plan members in impacted areas.
CVS Specialty patients in an emergency area on specialty medications will be contacted to discuss alternate delivery arrangements, if needed. Order deliveries are being redirected to patients’ temporary addresses. Aetna clinical response teams have expanded their engagement with Medicare and commercial members in potentially impacted areas to ensure member safety and access to emergency services.
“As part of our CVS Health Environmental Health Impact Initiative, Aetna registered nurse care managers are conducting targeted outreach by phone to our most vulnerable Aetna members in the greater Los Angeles area to provide educational tips tailored to each patient’s profile such as the risks of breathing wildfire smoke and how to track local air quality," Paige Wickner, M.D., VP of medical affairs at CVS Health, told Fierce Healthcare. "Other air pollution safety tips include limiting time outdoors, keeping windows and doors closed, using an air purifier, and wearing a mask, especially outside. Additionally, care managers include information on mitigation strategies and ensure that patients have access to their medications and those they may need for symptoms.”
Additionally, Aetna members affected by the wildfires can seek emergency care anywhere as needed. Aetna will modify its policies as needed to enable access to care. The plan is also expanding its Resources for Living services, which include emergency mental health support.
In a similar vein, Anthem has announced members can get care from any doctor or hospital, even if they are out of network. Members can also receive virtual non-emergency care at no cost via LiveHealth Online using code LAWILDFIRES. Members can get emergency refills at any pharmacy, and also have more to pay their premiums. Its mental health hotline, open 24/7, is available for free at 800-765-4446.
Editor's Note: This story was updated on Jan. 14 with additional resources from UnitedHealthcare, Walgreens and Anthem.