CVS Health supporting customers, patients, members and colleagues as Hurricane Helene approaches

Rhea-AI Summary

CVS Health (NYSE: CVS) is preparing for Hurricane Helene's landfall in Florida. The company is taking steps to ensure customers, patients, members, and colleagues have access to necessary products and services. Key actions include:

- CVS Pharmacy reaching out to patients for prescription refills
- Stocking additional emergency supplies in stores
- CVS Caremark enabling one-time emergency refills
- CVS Specialty contacting patients about alternate delivery arrangements
- Aetna expanding engagement with Medicare and Commercial members
- Liberalizing Resources For Living services for mental health support

CVS Health is also supporting employees at risk from the storm and providing community resources. The company offers tips for managing prescriptions during evacuations and emphasizes following local evacuation orders.

Positive

• Proactive measures to ensure medication access during the hurricane
• Expanded support services for members and communities affected by the storm
• Preparation of stores with additional emergency supplies

Negative

• Potential temporary store closures in mandatory evacuation areas
• Possible disruption to normal business operations in affected regions

WOONSOCKET, R.I., Sept. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- CVS Health® (NYSE: CVS) is actively preparing for Hurricane Helene's landfall in Florida tomorrow. The company's priority is the health and safety of its customers, members and colleagues, and it is committed to providing communities with access to the products and services they need to plan for the storm.

• CVS Pharmacy® is reaching out to its patients by text message, email and phone to remind them to refill and pick up prescriptions. Stores are also receiving additional supplies of emergency items such as water, batteries and first aid products.
• CVS Caremark®, the company's pharmacy benefit manager, is enabling pharmacy claims for one-time emergency refills of a 10-day supply of medication for plan members in impacted areas.
• CVS Specialty® patients who are within the emergency area and are taking specialty medications will be contacted to discuss alternate delivery arrangements, if needed.
• 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.
• Additionally, Aetna is liberalizing its Resources For Living (RFL) services to ensure individuals and organizations have access to care regardless of whether it is part of their existing benefits. Liberalized services include in-the-moment mental health phone support, a dedicated crisis support website and community resource information. Individuals and organizations who do not have RFL can call 1-833-327-AETNA, and those with RFL should contact their designated RFL number.
• CVS Health is also contacting colleagues who are at risk from the storm to check that they are safe and offer crisis support. Information about community resources and emotional support services is available through the company's employee assistance program.

CVS Pharmacy stores comply with all local evacuation orders. If there are mandatory closures, impacted stores will reopen as soon as it is safe to do so. If a store is closed for more than one day, the pharmacy's phone lines will be rerouted to a nearby open CVS Pharmacy to help patients access their prescriptions. Patients with a scheduled vaccination will be notified of any changes to their appointment by email or text message.

CVS Health also recommends the following tips to ensure prescription needs are met for those potentially impacted by this storm:

• Follow local evacuation orders. Get to a safe location first and refill your medications at the nearest pharmacy. This allows you to avoid potentially long lines at your local pharmacy, and you won't need to needlessly delay your evacuation.
• Take a waterproof bag with your current medication — even if the bottle is empty. The information on the prescription label will help pharmacy staff with refill requests. Heat, humidity and sunlight can degrade the effectiveness of medicine, so try to protect it from extreme weather conditions.
• Keep a written record of your current prescriptions on hand. If you are taking several prescription drugs, it's an especially good idea to keep a record of your current medications, dosage and doctor's contact information.

CVS Health remains dedicated to supporting its local communities and is in contact with disaster relief organizations to help communities respond to and recover from the storm.

About CVS Health
CVS Health® is the leading health solutions company, delivering care like no one else can. We reach more people and improve the health of communities across America through our local presence, digital channels and over 300,000 dedicated colleagues — including more than 40,000 physicians, pharmacists, nurses and nurse practitioners. Wherever and whenever people need us, we help them with their health — whether that's managing chronic diseases, staying compliant with their medications or accessing affordable health and wellness services in the most convenient ways. We help people navigate the health care system — and their personal health care — by improving access, lowering costs and being a trusted partner for every meaningful moment of health. And we do it all with heart, each and every day. Follow @CVSHealth on social media. 

Media contact
Kara Page
401-302-9353
Kara.Page@CVSHealth.com

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SOURCE CVS Health

FAQ

How is CVS Health (CVS) preparing for Hurricane Helene in Florida?

CVS Health is reaching out to patients for prescription refills, stocking additional emergency supplies, enabling emergency refills, arranging alternate deliveries for specialty medications, expanding member engagement, and offering mental health support services.

What services is CVS Health (CVS) offering to support customers during Hurricane Helene?

CVS Health is offering prescription refill reminders, one-time emergency refills, alternate delivery arrangements for specialty medications, expanded engagement with Medicare and Commercial members, and liberalized mental health support services through Resources For Living.

Will CVS Pharmacy stores be open during Hurricane Helene?

CVS Pharmacy stores will comply with local evacuation orders. If there are mandatory closures, affected stores will reopen as soon as it is safe. For extended closures, pharmacy phone lines will be rerouted to nearby open CVS Pharmacy locations.

What should CVS Health (CVS) customers do about their prescriptions during Hurricane Helene?

Customers should follow local evacuation orders, take a waterproof bag with current medications, keep a written record of prescriptions, and refill medications at the nearest pharmacy after reaching a safe location.