CIGNA Offers Assistance to Customers Affected by Georgia Floods

(BUSINESS WIRE)--CIGNA (NYSE:CI) announced today that it is temporarily lifting certain medical and pharmacy restrictions in order to aid individuals impacted by severe flooding in Georgia.

People insured by CIGNA in the affected Carroll, Catoosa, Chattooga, Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Crawford, DeKalb, Douglas, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Newton, Paulding, Rockdale, Stephens and Walker Counties can refill prescriptions early without prior approval and access care at any health care professional (in-network or out-of-network) at in-network rates.

“The health and well-being of the individuals we serve is our primary concern,” said Susan Gaca, Director, CIGNA Disaster Response Team. “We hope that during times such as this, these actions will provide some relief to those impacted.”

This temporary measure is in place until September 27, 2009 and may be extended if necessary.

Customers with questions or concerns are encouraged to call the customer service phone number on their CIGNA ID card or the CIGNA nationwide customer service telephone number at 1.800.CIGNA24 (1.800.244.6224) for additional information about the waivers.

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UnitedHealth Group Authorizes Early Prescription Refills and Opens Free Counseling Help Line for People in Flood-Affected Counties in Georgia

(BUSINESS WIRE)--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.

The toll-free help line number is (866)-342-6892 and is available open 24 hours a day, seven days a week for as long as necessary. This service is free of charge. Resources and information are also available online in English at www.liveandworkwell.com and Spanish at www.mentesana-cuerposano.com.

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