During the Katrina crisis, insurers are making allowances for their members and for physicians caring for the evacuees. Below is a brief summary on each insurer.

AHIP
America’s Health Insurance Plans and its members are working to provide support to those affected by Hurricane Katrina. AHIP is making financial contributions to relief agencies, providing direct aid in the form of healthcare services to those in need, expediting prescription drug services, and being flexibile to ensure members receive the care they need.

Aetna
Aetna temporarily is modifying certain procedures and requirements for members in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and the Florida Panhandle (Bay, Escambia, Holmes, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Walton, and Washington counties), which were most directly impacted by Hurricane Katrina.

Members who cannot go to Aetna-participating physicians, hospitals, and other healthcare professionals can seek care out of their network or in another Aetna coverage area. Displaced members in plans that require the use of a primary care physician can seek care from other PCPs or specialists. To avoid delays in accessing care, Aetna is waiving requirements for medical precertification, referrals, and notification of hospital admissions.

In addition, Aetna members in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Florida can refill prescriptions even if they are not due to be filled for 30 days. For members who receive prescriptions from Aetna Rx Home Delivery, Aetna will replace any lost or damaged prescriptions.

Healthcare professionals delivering care to Aetna members can contact Aetna’s dedicated Provider Service Centers or access Aetna’s Secure Physician Web site. For more information, go to www.aetna.com/aboutaetna/hurrican_katrina.html.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas is giving its customers access to all doctors and hospitals for covered medical services—even if they are not part of the Blue Cross network. Blue Cross also is granting to customers in affected parishes 30-day extensions for premium payments. Blue Cross is waiving all preauthorization requirements for covered services in the 14 affected parishes until further notice.

CIGNA
CIGNA has temporarily modified standard claim approval requirements including requirements for precertification, referrals, medical necessity determination, and hospital admission procedures. CIGNA members who cannot access CIGNA participating physicians, hospitals, or other providers can seek care from any healthcare professional. Coverage will be provided for such care at the in-network benefit level. For more information, go to www.cigna.com.

Humana
Humana provided a one-month grace period for the payment of premiums for all individuals or businesses from the affected hurricane areas who have a commercial or Medicare plan. The grace period is effective Aug 28, 2005.

Humana asks that physicians treat its members affected by Katrina as standard Humana members. Physicians who are not Humana providers can contact 866-427-7478 or 920-337-5090 to resolve coverage issues. Humana is implementing special customer service hours. For more information, go to www.humana.com.

Unicare
Revised medical and pharmacy guidelines are continually evaluated. These revisions apply to affected members who were living in Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi at the time of Hurricane Katrina.

Effective immediately, for affected members, Unicare is:
• Suspending requirements for prior authorization and precertification.
• Suspending requirements for authorization or referral from a primary care physician.
• Allowing affected members to see any physician necessary to provide access to care.
• Paying all claims as in-network, regardless of whether the healthcare provider is in network.
• Suspending early refill limits and shipping prescriptions to members at alternative addresses.
• Waiving copayments for prescriptions.
• Suspending utilization management review of in-hospital cases.
For more information, go to www.unicare.com.

United Healthcare
Claims for services provided to UnitedHealthcare enrollees who are from the FEMA-designated disaster areas will be administered at the in-network benefit level, at least through Sept 30. To determine the enrollment status and benefits of an individual, call UnitedHealthcare at 877-842-3210 or go to www.unitedhealthcareonline.com.

WellPoint
Revised medical and pharmacy guidelines were effective at least through Sept 30. These revisions apply to members who were living in Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi at the time of Hurricane Katrina and who are covered by the following plans:
• Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Colorado, Connecticut, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, New Hampshire, Nevada, Ohio, and Virginia
• Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia
• Blue Cross Blue Shield of Missouri
• Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wisconsin
• Blue Cross of California
• Anthem Prescription Management
• WellPoint Prescription Management

Effective immediately, for affected members, the health plans are:
• Suspending requirements for prior authorization and precertification.
• Suspending requirements for authorization or referral from a primary care physician.
• Allowing the affected members to see any physician necessary to provide access to care.
• Paying all claims as in-network, regardless of whether the healthcare provider is in network.
• Suspending early refill limits and shipping prescriptions to members at alternative addresses.
• Waiving copayments for prescriptions.
• Suspending utilization management review of in-hospital cases.
For more information, go to www.wellpoint.com.