AmeriHealth Caritas Louisiana Makes It Easier for Its Members to Get Medical Help During Hurricane Nate

Business Wire

Policies Temporarily Lifted to Help Members in Affected Areas Access Needed Care and Services

BATON ROUGE, La.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AmeriHealth Caritas Louisiana, a Healthy Louisiana Medicaid managed care health plan and part of the AmeriHealth Caritas Family of Companies, is committed to the health and safety of Louisiana’s communities during Hurricane Nate that is currently impacting Louisiana. AmeriHealth Caritas Louisiana is working with its partners throughout the state to ensure continuity of care to its members during this critical time.

In coordination with the Louisiana Department of Health, AmeriHealth Caritas Louisiana has made important temporary adjustments to its coverage policies and procedures for members living in the affected parishes: Assumption, Iberia, Jefferson, Lafourche, Livingston, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Martin, St. Mary, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne and Vermillion.

The following changes are effective immediately and will remain in effect until the immediate crisis passes:

AmeriHealth Caritas Louisiana is temporarily lifting medical prior authorization timelines and will not deny requests for late notification of medical services requiring prior authorization.
Members who were not able to take their durable medical equipment or prescription supplies with them when evacuating their homes, or who lost those supplies due to flood damage, can obtain replacements or early refills.
Members who need medical care services during an evacuation can obtain those services from out-of-network providers. The Member Services team is ready to help answer any questions.
To make it easier for impacted members to receive needed medications, AmeriHealth Caritas Louisiana is also lifting certain drug edits for members in the affected parishes, including:
- Waiving pharmacy co-pays
- Temporarily lifting out-of-network restrictions
- Allowing early refills on non-controlled medications
- Temporarily lifting prior authorization on non-controlled medications

Members are encouraged to check AmeriHealth Caritas Louisiana’s website at www.amerihealthcaritasla.com for the latest status of these changes.

Members who have questions about out-of-network coverage limitations, need transportation to a health care provider, or have any other questions during the weather emergency can call AmeriHealth Caritas Louisiana’s Member Services team 24 hours a day at 1-888-756-0004. Hearing impaired members can use the TTY line at 1-866-428-7588.

AmeriHealth Caritas Louisiana also has care managers available to assist members in navigating through their most pressing health care needs during this difficult time. AmeriHealth Caritas Louisiana’s Rapid Response and Outreach Team can be reached at 1-888-643-0005.

Members experiencing a medical emergency should call 911 immediately or, if conditions are safe, go to the nearest emergency room.

About AmeriHealth Caritas Louisiana

AmeriHealth Caritas Louisiana is one of five Medicaid managed care plans that participate in the Healthy Louisiana program. AmeriHealth Caritas Louisiana helps Louisiana families get proper care and stay well. AmeriHealth Caritas Louisiana works with communities in need to achieve positive health outcomes throughout the state. For more information, go to www.amerihealthcaritasla.com.

About AmeriHealth Caritas Family of Companies

AmeriHealth Caritas is part of the Independence Health Group in partnership with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. AmeriHealth Caritas is one of the nation’s leaders in health care solutions for those most in need. Operating in 17 states and the District of Columbia, AmeriHealth Caritas serves more than 5.7 million Medicaid, Medicare and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) members through its integrated managed care products, pharmaceutical benefit management and specialty pharmacy services, behavioral health services, and other administrative services. Headquartered in Philadelphia, AmeriHealth Caritas is a mission-driven organization with more than 30 years of experience serving low-income and chronically ill populations. For more information, visit www.amerihealthcaritas.com.