Guidance for Health Net Members Impacted by Southern California Fires
2008-11-21 18:28:05 -
www.healthnet.com - cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT"id=smartlink&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww ... offers health plan members impacted by the recent Southern California wildfires easy-to-follow guidance on how to access health care and employee assistance services as well as simple steps to refill prescriptions. Members also can obtain this information by calling Health Net at the numbers listed below or visiting its Web site at cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT"id=smartlink&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww ...
"We wish to extend our deepest sympathies to those who have been affected by the recent wildfires," said Steven Sell, president of Health Net of California. "With so many other challenges to face, our members should not have to worry about getting the care they need. That is why we have tried to make it easier for members to access their health care benefits."
As a result of quickly evacuating their homes, many victims of the disaster may have had to leave cherished mementos and other important items behind, including their health care information and prescriptions. Health Net members who need assistance with finding care, replacing Member ID cards or refilling prescriptions can contact the following Health Net toll-free numbers.
- Health Net Member Services " 800.400.8987 for (health and pharmacy questions)
- Health Net Employee Assistance Program " 800.227.1060
- For physicians who have questions " 800.400.8987
Members who have their Health Net ID cards can call the toll-free number listed on their card.
Prescriptions
Health Net will approve up to a one-month supply of prescription drugs for members who have lost their medication due to the fires. If possible, Health Net urges members to return to the pharmacy where their original prescriptions were filled and request a replacement refill. The pharmacy will contact Health Net for early refill approval. If members can"t return to the original pharmacy for a replacement refill, they can go to any Health Net contracted retail pharmacy to fill the prescription.
For those individuals who use Health Net"s mail order pharmacy services, they can contact Express Scripts at 866.265.9455 and give them an alternate delivery location. If the medication is needed immediately or a permanent address is not available, Health Net recommends members call their physician for a new prescription and refill it at a retail pharmacy.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP )
MHN, Health Net"s behavioral health subsidiary, is offering its EAP resources to all Health Net members during this time of need " regardless of whether they are MHN EAP members. Health Net members are encouraged to contact MHN"s EAP 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 800.227.1060 for referrals to counselors, local resources or telephonic consultations to help them cope with stress, grief, loss or other trauma resulting from the fires.
Companies that offer MHN"s EAP services to their employees also are eligible for workplace critical incident stress management services. These valuable services, which help employees cope with trauma and get back to business, will be made available to other Health Net clients as well, on a fee-for-service basis. Employers should call 800.533.3720 for more information.
Other Important Issues
To date, Health Net has not been contacted by any of its network providers to indicate that the fires have affected them and their ability to serve our members. We continue to monitor this situation.
Health Net will make additional changes to its policies as needed to ensure members have access to health care services. Health Net also will modify policies to comply with local, state and federal disaster executive orders or regulations related to this disaster.
About Health Net
Health Net of California, Inc., a subsidiary of Health Net, Inc. (NYSE:HNT), is one of the largest health plans in the state. Together with Health Net Life Insurance Company, it serves nearly 2.3 million members statewide, and contracts with more than 56,000 physicians, 300-plus hospitals and nearly 5,000 pharmacies, giving its members greater choice and more convenient access to care. Its commercial HMO and POS lines of business and its Medicare line of business have received the "Excellent" accreditation status from the National Committee for Quality Assurance, and its Medicaid line of business has received the "Commendable" accreditation status. For more information about Health Net, visit its Web site at cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT"id=smartlink&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww ...
Health Net of California, Inc.
Amy Sheyer, 818-676-8304
mailto:amy.l.sheyer@healthnet.com
