Help for members impacted by wildfires in Southern California

We’re making temporary changes to health plan benefits to provide relief and ensure healthcare access for our members who live in Los Angeles and Ventura counties in California and are impacted by the Palisades wildfire and windstorm conditions. The changes are in effect January 7 through February 5, 2025.

The changes also apply to emergency responders who have been activated to the impacted area by their state or local agency, but who do not live in the impacted area.

For assistance during this emergency, please have the member call us at 833-285-4030

We are here to help make sure our members — your patients — have access to the healthcare they need. We can help with finding available doctors, refilling prescription drugs, and other health plan questions. We’re available by phone Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. PT.

Receiving care during the emergency

• Members can receive care from any doctor or hospital, even if the care provider is not in their plan’s network. We will cover the claims as if they are in the member’s plan’s network.
• If your office or healthcare facility is closed because of the emergency, or if the member is unable to travel to the facility, have them call us at 833-285-4030. We can help them find another doctor.
• If the member is in a care management program and needs to reach them, call 833-285-4030.

Prescription drug refills

• If the member’s Anthem plan covers their prescription medicines, they can receive up to a 30-day emergency refill at any pharmacy now, even if it’s not in their plan’s network.
• If the member uses Anthem’s home delivery pharmacy and their address changed, they should call us at 833-285-4030 so we can make sure to send their medicine to the right place.

Medical equipment that is lost or damaged

• We can help the member replace their equipment (also called durable medical equipment or DME). Have them call us at 833-285-4030.

Eyeglasses or contact lenses that are lost or damaged

• We can help the member replace their eyeglasses or contact lenses. Have them call us at 833-285-4030.

Preapprovals or referrals

• The member has more time to request them. There won’t be any late fees. Have them call 833-285-4030 if they need an extension.

Filing a claim

• Both you and members have more time to file claims. Call us at 833-285-4030 if you need an extension.

Health plan premiums

• If the member receives a bill directly from Anthem for their monthly insurance premium and is experiencing financial difficulties as a result of the emergency, they have more time to pay their bill. Please have them call us at 833-285-4030 to discuss options.

Mental health support

• Anthem’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers mental health support and resources to help with legal and financial concerns, dependent-care needs, and other life challenges. Call the 24/7 EAP crisis line at 877-208-8240.
• Our Anthem website also offers resources for mental health support.
• Crisis support is available if the member or someone they know is having suicidal thoughts or behavior, is experiencing emotional distress, or is behaving in a way that could harm others. Call 988 or go to 988lifeline.org to reach the confidential Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Help is available 24/7.

The timing and locations for these relaxed guidelines may change based on conditions. Please check back here for updates.

These changes are for impacted members who reside in Los Angeles and Ventura counties in California and who have Anthem group health plans through their employers, or Anthem individual and family plans. They do not apply to Medicaid, Medicare, Medicare Part D, Medicare Advantage, Federal Employee Health Benefit Plans, or fully insured trust funds. These plans have their own guidelines.

If the member needs additional support, please have them call us at 833-285-4030.