Healthcare Firms Take Action in the Face of the LA Wildfires

Sparked on January 7, the Los Angeles wildfires caused unprecedented and historic devastation across California, displacing tens of thousands of residents and creating an estimated economic loss of over $250 billion. Fire containment and clean-up is ongoing, but the crisis has upended the lives of thousands. The healthcare industry was far from immune from the devastation, and healthcare firms took action with the LA wildfires still burning. Southern California hospitals and health systems were forced to delay non-emergency surgeries and postpone appointments, all while expanding telehealth options to address the surge in patient demand. Major hospital Cedars-Sinai was forced to close offices and surgery centers within evacuation zones, while outside these zones, other facilities were hampered by power outages. In Pasadena, the Eaton wildfire destroyed the AltaMed Services clinic, while five other AltaMed clinics were closed due to evacuation.

The fire produced disruptions in care across California that now requires residents to replace the potentially critically necessary medications and medical equipment they left behind during frantic evacuations. Eyes are turning to prescription platforms and healthcare organizations to bridge the gap between what patients have left and what they need. Here’s how major healthcare industry players took action to help those affected by the LA wildfires.

Insurers Relax Regulations

Healthcare insurers such as these have adapted their policies to the crisis with swift practicality:

• At the peak of the devastation, UnitedHealthcare moved to remove prior authorization requirements on facility-to-facility patient transfers, allowing patients to transition between hospitals unobstructed by strict regulations. With the disarray of hospitals across the state, this provision was essential in facilitating continuity of care for patients in affected medical centers, preventing abrupt disruptions of treatment plans. For individuals grappling with crisis induced stress, the firm promoted a public OptumRx-powered emotional support line, established during the 2018 California wildfires. The line remains open for those still seeking further support.
• Anthem BCBS took a dual-sided approach, pledging $10 million from its philanthropic arm and expanding network coverage for the medical and prescription claims of residents impacted by the fires. As the fires may have hampered patient’s access to their usual providers and pharmacies, this move reduces cost concerns typically associated with obtaining substitute. The firm maintained these guidelines through February 5.
• Kaiser Permanente, founded and based in California, has rolled out extensive material regarding the fire, both educational and supportive in nature. Its public site offers a Southern California Fire page with information on care access, mental health support, prescriptions and more. Like Anthem BCBS, Kaiser Permanente will be covering out-of-network providers at in-network prices for affected residents. Further, the firm is waiving same-day and next-day prescription delivery fees for members in affected regions, helping members who lost their medications in evacuated zones quickly replace them.

Pharmacies Ensure Care Continuity

Likewise, pharmacy organizations are supporting the LA community by promoting free care, philanthropic initiatives, and convenient prescription deliveries. GoodRx, a pharmacy discount platform, announced free virtual visits for California residents affected by fires through its telehealth platform, GoodRx Care, allowing patients to receive treatment and prescriptions from health experts for a range of conditions. Walgreens is organizing both community and retail-based approaches, collecting nationwide donations through its charity branch, the Walgreens Foundation, and providing impacted retail members with free same-day prescription delivery through February 9th.

” … Someone can see a licensed medical provider on GoodRx, get that prescription, get it sent to a pharmacy near them, or have it sent by mail, so that they can stay on those therapies and stay healthy.”

– Doug Hirsh, Cofounder of GoodRx

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