Help for Members Impacted by Wildfires in California
January 15, 2021
We are here to help you find and receive care when you need it during a crisis. Please call 833-285-4030, weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., for help finding available doctors, prescription drug refills, or other health insurance-related matters.
We are making changes to provide relief for members who must temporarily leave their homes due to the wildfires:
- For members who live in Mono County, California, the changes are in effect November 18, 2020, through December 18, 2020.
- For members who live in Siskiyou County in California, the changes are in effect November 10, 2020, through December 10, 2020. (Note: This is an extension. The original effective dates were September 10, 2020, through October 10, 2020.)
- For members who live in Madera and San Bernardino counties in California, the changes are in effect retroactively from September 6, 2020, through December 6, 2020. (Note: This is an extension. The original effective dates were September 6, 2020, through October 6, 2020.)
- For members who live in Del Norte, Los Angeles, and Mendocino counties in California, the changes are in effect October 25, 2020, through November 25, 2020. (Note: This is an extension. The original effective dates were September 25, 2020, through October 25, 2020.)
If you need health care right away
- You 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 your plan’s network.
- If your doctor’s office or health care facility is closed because of the fires or extreme hot weather, or if you are unable to travel there, call us at 833-285-4030. We can help you find another doctor.
- If you’re in a care management program and need to reach them, call 833-285-4030.
If you need prescription refills
- If your Anthem plan covers your prescription medications, you can receive up to a 30-day emergency refill at any pharmacy now, even the pharmacy is not in your plan’s network. This applies even if your prescription isn't yet due for a refill.
- If you use Anthem’s mail-order pharmacy and your address changed, call us at 833-285-4030 so we can make sure to send your medicine to the right place.
If your medical equipment is lost or damaged
- We can help you replace your medical equipment (also called durable medical equipment or DME) and/or supplies. Call us at 833-285-4030.
If your eyeglasses or contact lenses are lost or damaged
- We can help you replace your eyeglasses or contact lenses. Call us at 833-285-4030.
If you need pre-approvals or referrals
- You have more time to request them. There won’t be any late fees. Call 833-285-4030 if you need an extension.
If you need to file a claim
- You and your doctors have more time to file claims. Call us at 833-285-4030 if you need an extension.
If you need additional support
- Anthem’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers mental health support as well as resources on our website to help with legal/financial concerns and dependent-care needs. Call the EAP crisis line 24/7 at 877-208-8240. Or go to anthemeap.com and use the login: EAP Can Help.
- If you receive a bill directly from Anthem for your monthly insurance premium and you are experiencing financial difficulties due to the disaster, please call us to discuss options. During the emergency, you have an additional 30-day grace period to pay your monthly premium.
These relaxed guidelines are in effect for members who must temporarily leave their home due to wildfires in California:
- For members who live in Mono County, California, the changes are in effect November 18, 2020, through December 18, 2020.
- For members who live in Siskiyou County in California, the changes are in effect November 10, 2020, through December 10, 2020. (Note: This is an extension. The original effective dates were September 10, 2020, through October 10, 2020.)
- For members who live in Madera and San Bernardino counties in California, the changes are in effect retroactively from September 6, 2020, through December 6, 2020. (Note: This is an extension. The original effective dates were September 6, 2020, through October 6, 2020.)
- For members who live in Del Norte, Los Angeles, and Mendocino counties in California, the changes are in effect October 25, 2020, through November 25, 2020. (Note: This is an extension. The original effective dates were September 25, 2020, through October 25, 2020.)
These changes are for members with Anthem group health plans through their employers, Anthem individual and family plans, and Medi-Cal. These changes are not for Federal Employee Health Benefit Plan, Medicare Advantage, or Medicare Part D plans. Those plans have their own guidelines.
If you need additional support, please call us at 833-285-4030.
Additional resources
For additional support during the wildfires, check these links to state resources:
