CVS Health mobilizes ahead of Hurricane Francine’s landfall

WOONSOCKET, R.I. – On Tuesday, as Tropical Storm Francine was intensifying into a hurricane and heading toward Louisiana, CVS Health said it was mobilizing resources to help communities prepare for the storm, providing access to essential medications and emergency supplies.

CVS Pharmacy has begun reaching out to patients via text, email, and phone, urging them to refill prescriptions and pick up necessary medications before the storm hits. Stores in the region are being stocked with critical supplies such as water, batteries, and first aid products, ensuring that customers can access what they need during this crucial time.

"Our top priority is ensuring the health and safety of our customers and colleagues as the storm approaches," CVS Health said in a statement. "We’re working diligently to make sure people have access to essential products and services as they prepare for Francine."

Emergency Prescription and Health Services

CVS Caremark, the company’s pharmacy benefit manager, is authorizing one-time emergency refills of up to a 10-day supply for members in the impacted areas, allowing customers to stock up on necessary medications ahead of the storm. For CVS Specialty patients who take critical medications, special arrangements are being made to ensure delivery or alternative access in case of service interruptions.

Meanwhile, Aetna, CVS Health’s insurance arm, is enhancing support for Medicare and Commercial members in affected regions. Aetna’s Resources For Living program has been expanded to provide immediate mental health support and crisis services to individuals and organizations in need, whether or not they are existing members. This includes in-the-moment counseling and access to a dedicated crisis support website.

Employee and Community Support

Beyond helping customers, CVS Health is reaching out to its employees in at-risk areas to check on their safety and offer crisis assistance through its employee assistance program. The company has pledged to follow all local evacuation orders and temporarily close stores if necessary. If a store is closed for an extended period, prescription phone lines will be rerouted to nearby CVS locations to ensure continuity of care for patients.

For those potentially affected by the storm, CVS Health advises patients to take proactive steps to manage their prescriptions, such as refilling medications early, keeping a written list of prescriptions, and storing medications in waterproof containers.

CVS Health said that as the hurricane approaches, it remains in contact with disaster relief organizations and continues to monitor the situation closely. The company added that it is committed to providing essential services to help communities both weather the storm and recover in its aftermath.