Disaster Policy

Disaster Policy

Federal/State Disaster or Other Public Health Emergencies

Union Pacific Railroad Employes Health Systems (UPREHS) assists members located in State or Federally declared disaster areas or other Public Health emergencies in which access to health care and/or prescription medication has been disrupted. UPREHS is aware that there may be an acute shortage of providers in these areas, disruption to mail delivery, and/or access to pharmacies.

In the event of a Presidential emergency declaration, a Presidential disaster declaration, a declaration of emergency or disaster by a Governor, or an announcement of a public health emergency by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, UPREHS will abide by the following policies until closure of the disaster or emergency period, or a 90-day period, whichever occurs first.

Medical

Medical services obtained during this time will be paid with no out-of-network penalties, even if the doctor or facility is not participating in the UPREHS preferred provider network.

Normally, inpatient hospitalization for active and early retirees plans requires preauthorization. During this period of special accommodation, no penalties will be applied if the member is unable to preauthorize an applicable hospital admission or other medical services because of the effects of the disaster.

Prescriptions

The UPREHS Depot Drug Mail Order, or walk-in pharmacies will replace lost or damaged prescriptions without any additional copayment. UPREHS will ship prescriptions to a temporary or alternate address by member request.

If affected members are out of medication for any reason, and have not been able to order or receive medications from the UPREHS Depot Drug Mail Pharmacy, even if the order has already been shipped, UPREHS will authorize up to a 30-day supply of medication immediately through a retail pharmacy and thereafter until closure of the disaster or emergency period, or a 90-day period, whichever occurs first.

Dependent Supplemental Coverage

The UPREHS Family Supplemental Plans will recognize the National Health and Welfare eligibility determinations for any family members of affected areas.

Questions

If you have questions about coverage, eligibility, finding a provider, or filling a prescription, call UPREHS Customer Service at 1-800-547-0421 from 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM, Mountain Time, Monday through Friday, or visit our website at www.uphealth.com.

References

UPREHS consults the following Federal disaster and emergency web sites:

FEMA: www.fema.gov/disasters

CMS: www.cms.gov/