Prestige Health Choice Deploys Hurricane Relief Efforts in Collaboration with Feeding Florida

PR Newswire

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla., Sept. 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Prestige Health Choice, a Medicaid managed care plan serving 55 of Florida's 67 counties, and a joint venture of AmeriHealth Caritas and Florida Blue, is collaborating with Feeding Florida, a statewide association of food banks, in the wake of Hurricane Irma to support Florida families affected by the storm.

Prior to Hurricane Irma's arrival in Florida, Prestige Health Choice in collaboration with AmeriHealth Caritas, arranged for a semi-trailer truck with critical supplies to be distributed throughout Florida immediately following the storm.

The semi-trailer arrived at Northeast Feeding Florida in Jacksonville, Florida on the evening of September 13, and the next day unloaded the following supplies for Floridians affected by the hurricane:

Food – More than 19,000 bottles of water; 2,000 cans of tuna fish and chicken; 600 jars of peanut butter and jelly; 600 oz. of infant formula; 300 boxes of cereal; 1,500 cans of green beans, corn, and baked beans; granola bars; and 1,100 loaves of bread.

Personal care items – Tampons, diapers, baby wipes, paper towels, toilet paper and anti-bacterial wipes.

Housing supplies – Various sizes of blue tarps to secure roofs and homes from additional inclement weather.

"We are committed to supporting the health and welfare of Floridians around the state. Collaborating with Feeding Florida affords us an optimal opportunity to extend our reach in the community," said Prestige Health Choice President Dwight Chenette. "These donations will go to some of Florida's most vulnerable populations in the wake of Hurricane Irma."

Prestige Health Choice is collaborating with Feeding Florida to address the health needs that affect Floridians throughout the state.

"We are incredibly grateful for this donation from Prestige Health Choice. The food, water and critical supplies will go a long way in helping the thousands of families in Northeast Florida who have been impacted by Hurricane Irma," said Feeding Northeast Florida President and Chief Executive Officer Luke Layow. "Many in our community have lost everything. We are committed to doing everything in our power to assist them as they work to recover and rebuild. The work that we do under normal circumstances to serve our community is incredibly important, but it's heightened even more right now. The recovery process will take weeks, maybe months, and Feeding Northeast Florida is in it for the long haul."

About Prestige Health Choice
Prestige Health Choice is a Medicaid managed care plan serving members in 55 of Florida's 67 counties. Prestige's strength is founded on its longstanding provider partnerships, particularly with federally qualified health centers and other safety-net providers. A Florida-based company, Prestige is owned and operated by Florida True Health, a joint venture of AmeriHealth Caritas and Florida Blue. For more information, visit www.prestigehealthchoice.com.

About AmeriHealth Caritas
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.

About Florida Blue
Florida Blue is a leader in Florida's health care industry. Driven by its mission to help people and communities achieve better health, Florida Blue has 5 million health care members, with nearly 18 million people in 12 states served through its affiliated companies. Headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla., it is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies. For more information, visit www.FloridaBlue.com.

About Feeding Northeast Florida
Feeding Northeast Florida (FNEFL) is establishing food security in eight area counties – Baker, Bradford, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Nassau, Putnam and St. Johns – through a partnership with 160 hunger-relief agencies including food pantries and faith-based organizations. A member of Feeding America, FNEFL rescues good, high-quality food to be distributed to neighbors in need. In 2016, FNEFL distributed 12.3 million meals. With an estimated 283,000 in Northeast Florida relying on area food pantries and charitable organizations for food assistance each year – a number that has not changed much since the 2008 recession – FNEFL's mission is even more critical today. To learn more about Feeding Northeast Florida, visit feedingnefl.org