UnitedHealth Group To Provide Immediate Resources For Those Affected By The Southern California Wildfires

Main Category: Aid / Disasters
Also Included In: Health Insurance / Medical Insurance
Article Date: 19 Nov 2008 - 9:00 PST

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Due to the recent event of ongoing wildfires in Southern California, UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH) and its family of companies, including UnitedHealthcare, Ovations, OptumHealth and Prescription Solutions, are taking the following immediate actions to help those affected by the fires.

Effective Nov. 16, 2008, through Nov. 30, 2008, UnitedHealth Group is temporarily allowing affected customers who are enrolled in its health plans and pharmacy benefit management (PBM) services to obtain early refills of their prescription medications if the customers have refills remaining on file at a retail network or mail order pharmacy. This exception also applies to individuals with prescription coverage through UnitedHealth Group Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement or Medicare Part D offerings, including AARP MedicareRx plans.

Customers who have been displaced or whose network facility is not accessible and require assistance or special accommodations due to the wildfires should call the number on the back of their medical ID cards. Customer care professionals are available to help customers who have been displaced from their place of residence locate an in-network health care provider for non-emergent services or assist them in obtaining out-of-network services when an in-network provider is not available.

OptumHealth Inc. is providing a free help line to people in Southern California coping with the emotional consequences of the recent wildfires. Staffed by experienced master's-level behavioral health specialists, the free help line offers assistance to callers seeking help in dealing with stress, anxiety and the grieving process. Callers may also receive referrals to a database of community resources to help them with specific concerns, such as financial and legal issues.

The toll-free help line number is 866-280-1418 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 http://www.liveandworkwell.com and Spanish at http://www.mentesana-cuerposano.com.

About UnitedHealth Group

UnitedHealth Group is a diversified health and well-being company dedicated to making health care work better. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn., UnitedHealth Group offers a broad spectrum of products and services through six operating businesses: UnitedHealthcare, Ovations, AmeriChoice, OptumHealth, Ingenix and Prescription Solutions. Through its family of businesses, UnitedHealth Group serves more than 70 million individuals nationwide. Visit http://www.unitedhealthgroup.com for more information.

About OptumHealth

OptumHealth Inc. helps individuals navigate the health care system, finance their health care needs and achieve their health and well-being goals. The company's personalized health advocacy and engagement programs tap a unique combination of capabilities that encompass care solutions, behavioral solutions, specialty benefits and financial services. Serving more than 61 million people, OptumHealth is the nation's largest health and wellness business and is a UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH) company.

OptumHealth