UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH) and its UnitedHealthcare and Optum businesses are donating $1 million toward helping Puerto Ricans recover and rebuild from Hurricane Maria. 

The funds will be distributed among organizations that are continuing to help people gain access to basic needs such as food, shelter, medicine and health care:

• Project Hope
• Hospital Auxilio Mutuo
• US Fund for UNICEF
• Direct Relief

This is in addition to more than $1 million worth of medicines and emergency supplies the company donated in the immediate aftermath of the hurricane, as well as a $200,000 donation to the United for Puerto Rico Fund. Beyond direct monetary aid to support organizations, the company offered a 2:1 match on all employee contributions toward ongoing relief efforts on the island.  “UnitedHealth Group is committed to Puerto Rico’s long-term recovery as it rebuilds from the recent hurricanes,” said Dave Wichmann, CEO of UnitedHealth Group. “We are especially concerned for Puerto Ricans’ health and well-being and are focusing our efforts to help ensure their basic needs are met.” The company is also continuing to support the broader community affected by Hurricane Maria in a number of other ways:

• Access to Care: UnitedHealthcare plan participants who may have been displaced from their homes or whose care provider network or medical facility is inaccessible can access care anywhere, as needed, and it will be covered at their in-network benefit level. UnitedHealthcare is also waiving preauthorization for existing medical and pharmacy treatment, and notification requirements, as well as extending claim-filing and premium-payment deadlines.  

• Early Prescription Refills, Medical Equipment: Plan participants who are affected can also fill existing prescriptions early (one time, up to 90-day refill) and replace durable medical equipment, if necessary. For mail-order delivery service to affected areas or any other questions related to their prescriptions, people are encouraged to call the pharmacy number on the back of their ID card, or speak directly to a pharmacist about their situation in order to get an early refill, if necessary.  

People enrolled in Medicaid, employer-sponsored and individual health plans (excluding Medicare plans) who have a smartphone can download the free Health4Me app, which provides instant access to their ID card, contact information for network care providers, their personal health benefits and more. The Health4Me app is available as a free download at the Apple iTunes App Store  and the Android Market on Google Play.

These measures apply to all individuals insured by UnitedHealthcare and are effective through Dec. 2, 2017, and will be reviewed again at that time, if necessary. 

• For Additional Assistance: Plan participants can call the Customer Care number on the back of their medical ID card if they need additional assistance. If they have misplaced their medical ID card, they can call 866-633-2446, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. (in the local time zone), Monday through Friday.
• Free Help Line:Optum is offering a free emotional-support help line. The toll-free number, 866-342-6892, will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for as long as necessary. The service is free of charge and open to anyone. Callers may also receive referrals to community resources. Along with the toll-free help line, emotional-support resources and information are available online at www.liveandworkwell.com.

About UnitedHealth Group

UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) is a diversified health and well-being company dedicated to helping people live healthier lives and helping to make the health system work better for everyone. UnitedHealth Group offers a broad spectrum of products and services through two distinct platforms: UnitedHealthcare, which provides health care coverage and benefits services; and Optum, which provides information and technology-enabled health services. For more information, visit UnitedHealth Group at www.unitedhealthgroup.com or follow @UnitedHealthGrp on Twitter.