CVS Health Issues Statement Regarding Hurricane Debby’s Landfall

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CVS Health issued a press release detailing its emergency response protocols ahead of Hurricane Debby’s landfall in Florida in the morning of August 5, 2024.¹ The storm is expected to impact Georgia and the Carolinas as well later in the week.

In the release, CVS urged its customers to remember to refill prescriptions ahead of major storms while also authorizing a one-time emergency refill for 10-day supply medications. CVS is also working with local authorities to coordinate delivery arrangements for customers living in emergency areas.

Stores will also close in accordance with local orders, and will reopen once it is determined safe to do so.

Hurricane season is still ongoing on the East Coast of the United States, and Debby is unlikely to be the only storm that makes landfall this year. As reports of extreme weather events continue to rise, it’s important for people to be aware of potential impacts to their ability to obtain their medications.

Earlier in August, CVS announced the launching of an initiative focused on handling people living in areas that are the most vulnerable to extreme weather events.² At the time, CVS stated that it would initially focus on extreme weather events, as various areas of the US have already seen sustained heat-waves during the summer months. Extreme heat poses a significant risk to many members of various communities, especially those dealing with healthcare issues.

In a press release, CVS Caremark’s chief clinical innovation officer and vice president Dr. Dan Knecht said, “Extreme heat kills more Americans each year than all other weather events combined. In addition to fatalities driven by heat strokes, extreme heat can worsen chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Most heat-related deaths are preventable with outreach and intervention. We are proud to introduce a new capability that advances our efforts to find innovative ways to deliver personalized health care to consumers."

Knecht is also a practicing physician.

The initiative will use localized weather reports to identify areas where customers may be caught in extreme weather, wildfires, or air quality events. This info will be shared with Aetna care managers, who will then take proactive steps to contact customers and ensure necessary prescriptions are filled and patients have access to resources prior to significant weather events.

Sources

1. CVS Health Supporting Customers, Patients, Members, and Colleagues as Hurricane Debby Makes Landfall. CVS Health. August 5, 2024. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cvs-health-supporting-customers-patients-members-and-colleagues-as-hurricane-debby-makes-landfall-302214317.html
2. CVS Health Launches First-of-its-Kind Initiative to Support Patients Most Vulnerable to Health Impacts of Extreme Weather Events. CVS Health. August 1, 2024. Accessed on August 5, 2024.