WellPoint Adjusts Health and Pharmacy Guidelines for Members in Texas and Louisiana Affected by Hur...( Free telephonic counseling and a 24...),Health

Free telephonic counseling and a 24-hour Nurse Helpline established for

impacted members

INDIANAPOLIS, Sept. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- WellPoint (NYSE: WLP) today announced revised medical and pharmacy guidelines to help members who are directly impacted by Hurricane Ike. In addition, a 24-hour nurse helpline -- 1-866-417-7107 -- has been established to assist members.

The revised guidelines will help members who are impacted by Hurricane Ike access needed medical care and prescription drugs.

Members affected by the hurricane should seek medical assistance wherever it is available and have their medications refilled at any pharmacy or shipped to them at an alternative address.

In addition, from Sept. 12 through Sept. 19, 2008, for members evacuating from Texas and Louisiana, all providers caring for affected members will be considered "in-network" providers, and affected members will not be required to satisfy prior authorization, pre-certification or referral requirements during this time.

These revisions apply to affected members living in Texas and Louisiana who are under a mandatory evacuation and who are covered by UniCare, WellPoint NextRx and WellPoint affiliated health plans in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Missouri, New Hampshire, New York, Nevada, Ohio, Wisconsin and Virginia. More information on WellPoint's affiliated health plans can be found at http://www.wellpoint.com/business/about_family.asp .

For impacted members, WellPoint is:

-- Suspending requirements for prior authorization and pre-certification.

-- Suspending requirements f
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