Emergency Preparedness

Preparedness Checklist

If you are in the path of a storm or in a designated evacuation zone, please take necessary precautions to ensure you and your family are safe.

What to do

• Follow local safety and community guidance to prepare your family and home. Refer to the Ready.gov and American Red Cross for important planning information for you, your family and pets.
• Update your personal contact information and emergency contacts in Global Self-Service. This will help us get important information to you.
• Add the Employee Center (formerly HRdirect) number (1-800-561-0861) to your phone contact list. This is the caller ID number that will display when we contact you with information about area impact.
• Add your manager’s contact information to your phone contact list if you haven’t already. Check in and provide updates, including any challenges that may prevent you from working.
• Take home your computers/chargers (and other items necessary to complete your job) to prepare for unplanned office closures. Have a plan to have your work laptop secured in any situation.
• Make sure you have cell phone chargers (for your car, too, if possible).
• Employees who travel or are on the road as part of their job responsibilities should be aware of impending weather and hazards. If you anticipate inclement weather, consider rescheduling appointments, if possible. If you encounter severe conditions that limit your ability to safely navigate travel, wait until conditions improve.

What to know

• Be informed of the UnitedHealth Group Emergency Closing and Severe Weather Guidelines, which includes information about pay, notification of closings, and working from home during closures.
• The Event Management Team, including your local office leadership, collectively assesses the situation and decides whether to delay start times, release employees early or close a facility for a complete day.
• Familiarize yourself with the emergency notification procedures for your site. Know your site's Emergency Action Plan, emergency shelter areas, and evacuation procedures. View the Emergency Preparedness & Response page for more information.
• The Employee Alert System will notify you via the numbers available in Global Self-Service. It has the ability to contact you via home/cell phone and your work and personal email address with important messages.
• Contact Technology Help Desk at 1-888-848-3375 if you have difficulty connecting to the network.
• Our offices usually remain open unless they are in a Hurricane Warning area or Mandatory Evacuation Zone, even when schools or day cares close, so alternate child care and additional commute time or other adjustments may be required.

Hotel and vehicle rental

As a preferred vendor for UnitedHealth Group business travelers, BCD Travel offers discounted accommodations and car rentals to employees traveling for business purposes. BCD is able to support business and personal evacuations through our dedicated team at BCD 1-800-238-9047. Hours of UnitedHealth Group dedicated support are: 8:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. CST. After hours emergency travel services can also be reached at 1-800-238-9047.

To schedule online at any time, use the self-service model:

• Concur Quick Reference Guide – Travel Quick Reference Guide
• When booking online please use the code EVAC when asked for the Concur Request ID
• Non-Employee Instructions for Concur – Reservations For Non-Employee Guest Travel

Discounts on vehicle rentals can also be found on the Employee Discounts site. While hotel and vehicle rental expenses are your responsibility, we hope the discounts offered through these programs will be helpful.

Resources

• For detailed forecasts and alerts by state and county, please see the following:
  • Weather Alerts (scroll down to see state by state)
  • Weather.gov
• American Red Cross
• Ready.gov

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Natural Disaster Support

Use these resources whenever you need them. 

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): The EAP is available 24/7 to provide confidential help to support well-being, including free counseling sessions and unlimited telephonic support.
  • 1-866-781-6396 for employees eligible for UnitedHealth Group and OCI benefits. Access codes: United for UnitedHealth Group employees and OptumCare for Optum Care employees.
  • 1-888-887-4114 for employees enrolled in an Optum Partner Services medical plan.
  • All other U.S. employees including not yet integrated employees: contact your Human Capital or Human Resources leader to inquire about available benefits.
• Additional well-being resources located at stride.uhg.com
• FEMA offers information about recovery assistance and grants.
• Disaster Loan Assistance offers federal disaster loans for businesses, private nonprofits, homeowners and renters.
• USDA Federal Assistance offers food and disaster resources.
• American Red Cross provides assistance information in your area.
• Better Business Bureau helps you locate trusted professionals for any repairs.

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