Wildfire Alert: Emergency coverage for members in CA
August 7, 2015
Help for members impacted by the wildfires in California
We’re [Anthem Blue Cross of California] taking steps to help our members affected by the California wildfires get the care they need. If you have clients that have been impacted and live in Butte, El Dorado, Humboldt, Lake, Madera, Napa, Nevada, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Diego, Shasta, Solano, Tulare, Tuolumne and Yolo counties, here’s what they should know:
- Emergency and urgent care services provided by out-of-network doctors and hospitals will be paid at in-network coverage levels.
- We are waiving the notification penalty on utilization management (UM) review of in-hospital cases.
- If they on a prescription drug plan they can get refills at any pharmacy now.
- If they use a mail order pharmacy they can update their address information by calling Member Services
- They can get replacement medical equipment (also called Durable Medical Equipment or DME) if theirs was lost, damaged or can’t be accessed.
- Claims filing deadlines will be extended.
These medical and pharmacy guidelines are effective immediately until August 21, 2015, unless extended.
With the exception of refilling lost or damaged drugs, They must call Member Services to request any of the above adjustments be made to their benefits.
These relaxed medical and pharmacy guidelines do not apply to Medicare Advantage members. Medicare Advantage has specific guidelines.
If they need additional support, they can call the Member Services number on their ID card.
This article applies to:
- California
- Small Group, Large Group, and Individual (under 65)