PISCATAWAY, N.J., November 2 – The American Red Cross Hurricane Recovery Program has contracted with QualCare, Inc. to process claims and invoices for its new program, Access to Care.

The program is designed to provide mental health and substance abuse treatment for survivors of Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma who have experienced distress as a result of their ordeal, according to the Red Cross.

Through the Access to Care program, eligible survivors and families will be offered a limited, capped, portable mental health benefit, the Red Cross said. The program can be the primary payment source for those who have no insurance or other resources, or can cover related out-of-pocket expenses for those who have existing mental health insurance. Access to Care is available regardless of where survivors currently reside, but based on their pre-hurricane address.

The thousands of people affected by these three hurricanes alone will need long-term assistance and care and [QualCare is], once again, pleased to assist the American Red Cross, said Annette Catino, chief executive officer and president of QualCare.

Catino noted that QualCare also administers claims for the September 11 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Program through the American Red Cross September 11 Recovery Program.

Enrollment for the hurricane program began on October 1, 2006 and will run through October 1, 2007 (or until the charitable donations for the program run out), and clients may seek assistance with services received from August 30, 2005 through April 1, 2008, QualCare said.

For more information, call 1-866-794-HOPE, or visit www.a2care.org.