Humana Foundation Donates $1 Million to Support Disaster Recovery in the Wake of Hurricane Helene By Investing.com

Humana also supports its members in all affected areas by providing easy access to medical and emergency medicine information, as well as opening a crisis hotline with free counseling available.

LOUISVILLE, Ky.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The Humana Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the community Company Humana Inc . (NYSE: NYSE:), is donating $1 million to relief and recovery efforts for those affected by Hurricane Helene. Humana also took steps to help members and communities in the path of the storm, including providing easy access to medical and emergency medicine information, and opening a crisis hotline with free counseling available.

Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida's Big Bend area on September 26, causing power outages and flooding. The storm quickly moved into other parts of the Southeast including Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee. Across the storm's path, many are still without power, and officials continue to assess the tragic loss of life and property damage. As residents across the Southeast begin the recovery process, post-storm communities will need help meeting basic needs including food, shelter, water and medical care.

Because of the storm's far-reaching path and its remnants, the Humana Foundation is donating $1 million to help address the immediate relief and long-term recovery needs of those recovering from the storm. The donation is part of the Foundation's mission to help communities in crisis while promoting health equity for all.

Organizations receiving funding include: World Central Kitchen – $400,000 to support all affected areas, Center for Disaster Philanthropy – $350,000 to support all hard-hit areas, and Florida Disaster Fund – $250,000.

Providing support and removing barriers to the people and communities we serve is at the core of everything we do, and we are all ready to direct the critical resources needed to everyone in the path of this devastating storm, said CEO of the Humana Foundation, Tiffany Benjamin. . During this emergency and in the coming weeks and months, we will empower our trusted partners throughout the Southeast, to deliver the most appropriate assistance and comfort.

Beyond this offering, Humana Inc. has taken the following steps to help members in declared disaster areas:

• Repeal all primary care physician (PCP) referral and pre-authorization requirements for members, where applicable;
• Members provided with the same cost sharing would receive in-network care even if they receive out-of-network care;
• For members with a pharmacy benefit, limits are set on refills to allow for travel difficulties and withdrawals;
• A toll-free helpline and counseling services has been established through TELUS Health, formerly LifeWorks, intended not only for employees and members of the health plan, but also for anyone who may need help and support in the US and Puerto Rico to deal with the disaster and its aftermath. . The TELUS Health Crisis Support Line is open 24/7 and can be reached at 1-877-757-7587 (866-229-2572 in Puerto Rico).

Communities need help urgently. Getting it to them is our top priority, said Jim Rechtin, CEO of Humana. We are doing everything we can to provide immediate services to those who need them most. Ensuring their well-being and recovery from this extraordinary disaster requires an extraordinary response.

To learn more about the Humana Foundation's work on health equity, visit HumanaFoundation.org.

About the Humana Foundation

The Humana Foundation was founded in 1981 as the philanthropic arm of Humana Inc. and focuses on health equity, working to eliminate unjust, avoidable and unnecessary barriers to health and health care. The Foundation promotes evidence-based partnerships and investments that help people in underserved communities live connected, healthy lives. As a manager of good health, the Foundation creates healthy emotional connections for people and communities and develops a healthy approach to nutrition to support lifelong well-being. For more information, visit humanafoundation.org

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Marvin Hill
Humana Corporate Communications
502-580-3950
mhill1@humana.com

Source: Humana Inc.