CVS Health supporting customers, patients, members and colleagues as Hurricane Debby makes landfall

Rhea-AI Summary

CVS Health (NYSE: CVS) is taking proactive measures to support customers, patients, members, and colleagues as Hurricane Debby makes landfall in Florida and moves through Georgia and the Carolinas. The company is implementing strategies across its business units to ensure continuity of care:

• CVS Pharmacy is reminding patients to refill prescriptions and stocking up on emergency supplies.
• CVS Caremark is enabling emergency prescription refills in affected areas.
• CVS Specialty is arranging alternate delivery for specialty medications.
• Aetna is expanding engagement with Medicare and Commercial members and offering liberalized Resources For Living services.

CVS Health is also supporting employees in affected areas and providing community resources. The company advises customers to follow local evacuation orders and take necessary precautions to ensure access to medications during the hurricane.

Positive

• Proactive measures to ensure continuity of care during Hurricane Debby
• Enabling emergency prescription refills in affected areas
• Expanding support services for Medicare and Commercial members
• Offering liberalized Resources For Living services for mental health support

Negative

• Potential disruption to store operations in affected areas
• Possible impact on prescription delivery and availability

WOONSOCKET, R.I., Aug. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- CVS Health^® (NYSE: CVS) is prioritizing the health and safety of its customers, patients, members and colleagues as Hurricane Debby lands in Florida and travels through Georgia and the Carolinas this week. The company is committed to providing communities with access to the products and services they need amid the storm. It has implemented measures across its business to ensure continuity of care:

• 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's 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 Hurricane Debby:

• 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 Debby?

CVS Health is implementing measures across its business units, including reminding patients to refill prescriptions, stocking emergency supplies, enabling emergency refills, arranging alternate delivery for specialty medications, and expanding support services for members in affected areas.

What services is CVS Health (CVS) offering during Hurricane Debby?

CVS Health is offering emergency prescription refills, alternate delivery for specialty medications, expanded engagement with Medicare and Commercial members, and liberalized Resources For Living services for mental health support during Hurricane Debby.

How can CVS Health (CVS) customers access their prescriptions during Hurricane Debby?

Customers are advised to follow local evacuation orders, take a waterproof bag with current medications, keep a written record of prescriptions, and refill medications at the nearest pharmacy. If a store is closed, pharmacy phone lines will be rerouted to nearby open CVS Pharmacies.

What support is CVS Health (CVS) providing to employees during Hurricane Debby?

CVS Health is contacting colleagues at risk from the storm to ensure their safety, offering crisis support, and providing information about community resources and emotional support services through the company's employee assistance program.