25 April 2012 - Provider of health benefit programmes UnitedHealthcare on Wednesday announced that it is taking immediate action in an effort to help people affected by the deadly tornadoes that recently struck a number of Iowa communities.

Actions taken by the company are expected to include support for American Red Cross relief efforts and special measures to help ensure UnitedHealthcare plan participants residing in counties that have declared a state of emergency have ongoing access to care and prescription medications as well as extensions if needed for paying premiums, filing claims or appeals, and renewing or cancelling policies.

Effective immediately the company is offering early prescription refills, non-cancellation of policies and premium deferral and support for the American Red Cross through a USD500,000 annual commitment to the Annual Disaster Giving Program of the American Red Cross which offers shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance to people in affected communities.