Just days after Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida’s Gulf coast, causing devastating destruction throughout Georgia, the Carolinas, Tennessee, Virginia, and Kentucky, Hurricane Milton developed into a major hurricane and made landfall in Florida on October 9. Our hearts go out to all those affected.

We know that offering our support remains paramount. Here are some of the ways The Cigna Group is supporting our customers, clients, employees, and communities during these natural disasters and their aftermaths:

• The Cigna Group Foundation has donated $175,000 in support of Hurricane Helene relief efforts across the Southeast. The Foundation committed an additional $100,000 to the American Red Cross for relief efforts for Hurricane Milton.
   
• We are offering paid time off to employees who wish to support relief efforts by volunteering with local nonprofit organizations, along with matching donations for eligible nonprofit organizations.
   
• MD Live by Evernorth – our virtual care platform – is offering people affected by Helene or Milton one free MDLive urgent care visit or one free MDLive behavioral health visit.
   
• We are lifting certain medical and pharmacy benefit restrictions for Cigna Healthcare customers. Customers may call 1-800-244-6224 or the phone number on their ID card to speak with a representative about the most up-to-date benefit information.
   
• Our Employee Assistance Helpline is open for all customers and non-customers. We are also offering Cigna Healthcare customers and non-customers 24/7 clinical support to help with anxiety, stress, or other issues. Cigna Healthcare customers can call 1-800-244-6224 or the number on their ID card. Non-customers may call 1-866-912-1687.
   
• Employees of The Cigna Group who were impacted by Hurricane Helene and Milton are receiving ongoing support from The Cigna Group, and their colleagues. 

In addition to our immediate support efforts, we encourage everyone to take the following hurricane preparedness steps to ensure their safety and well-being:

• Create an emergency kit: Assemble a comprehensive emergency kit that includes items such as non-perishable food, water, medications, flashlights, batteries, and important documents. It's crucial to have enough supplies to last at least 72 hours.
• Develop a family communication plan: Ensure that all family members are aware of emergency contacts and have a plan for reaching each other in case of separation. Designate a meeting place and share these details with all family members.
   
• Stay informed: Monitor local weather updates and heed evacuation orders from authorities. Staying informed through reliable sources will help you make timely decisions to protect yourself and your loved ones.

Visit the Cigna Disaster Resource Center for more details and we’ll continue to update this article with additional information as it’s available.