WOONSOCKET, R.I., Sept. 27,
2022 /PRNewswire/ -- CVS Health® (NYSE: CVS) is
actively preparing for Hurricane Ian's landfall in Florida this week. The company's priority is
the health and safety of its colleagues, customers, and members,
and it is committed to providing its communities access to the
products and services they need to plan for the storm.
In advance of Hurricane Ian, CVS Health is implementing
proactive measures across its businesses 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
providing 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 outreaching to its 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 any 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 so patients may continue to access their
prescriptions. Patients who have scheduled a COVID-19 or flu
vaccination will be notified of any changes to their appointment by
email or text message.
CVS Health also recommends the following tips for ensuring
prescription needs are met for those potentially impacted by
Hurricane Ian:
- 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