We are making temporary changes to health plan benefits to provide relief for members who live in Mariposa County, California and must leave their homes due to the impacts of the state’s current wildfire emergency. The changes are in effect from July 23, 2022, through August 21, 2022. 

 

For assistance during this emergency, members may call us at 833-285-4030 on weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. We can help with finding available doctors, refilling prescription drugs, and other health plan questions.

 

Emergency or urgent care

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

 

Prescription refills

• If member’s Anthem Blue Cross (Anthem) plan covers their prescription medications, they can receive up to a 30-day emergency refill at any pharmacy now, even if it is not in their plan’s network.
• If member uses Anthem’s mail-order pharmacy and their address has changed, they can 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 members replace their equipment (also called durable medical equipment or DME). Member can call us at 833-285-4030.

 

Eyeglasses or contact lenses that are lost or damaged

We can help members replace their eyeglasses or contact lenses. Members can call us at 833‑285‑4030.

 

Preapprovals or referrals

Members have more time to request them. There will not be any late fees. Members can call us at 833-285-4030 if they need an extension.

 

Filing a claim

Members and doctors have more time to file claims. You can call us at 833-285-4030 if you need an extension.

 

Mental health or other additional support

Anthem’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers mental health support, as well as resources on our website to help with legal and financial concerns and dependent-care needs. Members can call the EAP crisis line 24/7 at 877-208-8240 or go to anthemeap.com and use the following log in: EAP Can Help.

 

Health plan premiums 

If members receive a bill directly from Anthem for their monthly insurance premium and are experiencing financial difficulties because of the emergency, they have more time to pay the bill. Members can call us at 833-285-4030 to discuss options.

 

These relaxed guidelines are in effect for members who reside in Mariposa County in California and who must temporarily leave their homes due to the wildfire emergency.

 

The time period for updated support and care may change based on the conditions. Please check back here for updates.

 

These changes are for members with Anthem group health plans through their employers, Anthem individual and family plans, Medi-Cal, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Part D, or Medicare Supplement plans. These changes are not for Federal Employee Health Benefit Plans, which have their own guidelines.

 

If members need additional support, they may call us at 833-285-4030.

 

Additional resources

For additional support during the wildfires, check these state resources:

• California Department of Public Health Wildfire Information
• California Office of Emergency Services: Wildfire Recovery Health Information
• CAL FIRE: California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
• CA Office of Emergency Services: Resources for Californians impacted by wildfire

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