Arkansas Blue Cross helping flood victims in several ways

May 22, 2019

Little Rock, Ark. (June 20, 2019) - Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield and its employees are continuing to assist people and communities affected by recent widespread Arkansas flooding in a number of ways.

"The well-being of the people of our state is our primary focus," said Curtis Barnett, president and chief executive officer of Arkansas Blue Cross. "So when we see a natural disaster of this magnitude, the natural instinct of our company and our employees is to reach out and assist our friends and neighbors in their time of need. I am particularly proud of our employees' response. It shows their compassion and their deep commitment to the people and communities we serve."

The company's flood-relief efforts have taken several forms, including:

• Employee financial contributions to benefit flood victims. In less than two weeks, employees have raised more than $10,000. Arkansas Blue Cross will match the total amount raised by employees and the combined total will be donated to the American Red Cross to benefit those affected by the recent flooding along the Arkansas River. Employees, who have been providing financial donations and needed recovery supplies to work since June 10, are using the month of June to emphasize flood recovery.
• Corporate financial donations to impacted communities. Arkansas Blue Cross is donating $5,000 to the mayor's office or city government to repair public areas in these areas affected by flooding: Fort Smith, Van Buren, Morrilton, Dardanelle, Conway, Little Rock, North Little Rock and Pine Bluff. The company also is sponsoring a luncheon in North Little Rock honoring flood-relief workers.
• Corporate statewide collection of needed equipment and supplies for the cleanup. Arkansas Blue Cross also is collecting supplies at all ArkansasBlue locations throughout the state (locations listed below). Needed supplies include: cleaning supplies, insect repellent, rubber gloves, trash bags, sunscreen, toilet paper, diapers, wipes, first-aid supplies, feminine hygiene products, socks, floor scrapers, dust masks, 5-gallon buckets, shovels, box cutters, shop vacuums, hand-held saws, sheetrock and wheelbarrows.
• Assisting flood victims in obtaining needed medications. Arkansas Blue Cross members may receive help replacing prescription medications if they suffered property damage as a result of the flooding of the Arkansas River that began May 21, 2019. Members in Arkansas who live in areas covered by Governor Asa Hutchinson's state disaster declaration are eligible if they have been affected by flooding and if their pharmacy benefit plan is managed by Arkansas Blue Cross, including members of Arkansas Blue Cross, Health Advantage, BlueAdvantage Administrators of Arkansas (if pharmacy benefits are managed by BlueAdvantage) and USAble Mutual Insurance Company. Affected members are being asked to work with their pharmacist or call Customer Service (at the number located on the back of their health plan ID card) to get their prescription copayments/coinsurance waived for one refill (a maximum 30-day supply). The waiver applies to current prescription medications as well as any medications prescribed as a result of the storms. Members who already may have had a prescription filled (since May 21) may be eligible for a refund by calling Arkansas Blue Cross. Members who have lost their health plan ID card during the flooding, or who have special needs for getting medications delivered to them, should call 1-800-238-8379. Medi-Pak Advantage and Medi-Pak Rx members have a different benefit waiver and should call the number on the back of their card for help.
• "Grace periods" for flood victims' premium payments. Affected Arkansas Blue Cross members and employers may be eligible for a 60-day grace period to pay health insurance premiums.

ArkansasBlue location donation sites

• Fayetteville
  516 E. Millsap Road
  Suite 103
  Fayetteville, AR 72703
• Fort Smith
  3501 Old Greenwood Road
  Suite 3
  Fort Smith, AR 72903
• Hot Springs
  1635 Higdon Ferry Road
  Suite J
  Hot Springs, AR 71913
• Jonesboro
  2110 Fair Park Boulevard
  Suite I
  Jonesboro, AR 72401
• Little Rock (west)
  2612 S. Shackleford Road
  Suite J
  Little Rock, AR 72205
• Little Rock (downtown)
  601 S. Gaines Street
  Little Rock, AR 72201
• Lowell
  507 W. Monroe Avenue
  Suite B
  Lowell, AR 72745
• Pine Bluff
  509 Mallard Loop
  Pine Bluff, AR 71603
• Texarkana
  1710 Arkansas Boulevard
  Texarkana, AR 71853