Anthem Blue Cross Providing Relief for its Health Plan Members Impacted by Historic Wildfires and Unprecedented High-Winds

Business Wire

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- In response to the impacts of high-winds, which have resulted in fires and evacuations in Northern and Southern California, Anthem Blue Cross Life and Health Insurance Company (Anthem) is revising its medical and pharmacy guidelines to help ensure members who have been impacted by these latest events have access to essential prescription medications and other health care related services.

For impacted Anthem health plan members, Anthem is:

Relaxing time limits for prior authorization, pre-certification and referral requirements.
Suspending early refill limits for prescriptions.
Allowing replacement of medical equipment or supplies.
Extending filing deadlines for claims.

These relaxed medical and pharmacy guidelines are effective from October 25, 2019 through December 2, 2019, unless further extended. They apply to members covered by Anthem’s employer group, individual plans and family plans, Medi-Cal, Anthem’s Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement, and Medicare Part D plans. These relaxed benefits do not apply to Federal Employees Health Benefits Program as that program has specific guidelines.

In addition, Anthem health plan members who have been impacted can access Anthem’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) which provides support services to help with stressful situations and financial or legal concerns. These services will be offered at no cost and are available 24/7 at 877-208-8240.

Anthem continues to monitor the fires and evacuations and may be taking additional steps to best serve its members.

About Anthem Blue Cross

Anthem Blue Cross is the trade name of Blue Cross of California. Anthem Blue Cross and Anthem Blue Cross Life and Health Insurance Company are independent licensees of the Blue Cross Association. ® ANTHEM is a registered trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. The Blue Cross names and symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross Association. Also follow us on Twitter at Twitter.com/AnthemBC_News or Twitter.com/AnthemBlueCross, on Facebook at Facebook.com/AnthemBlueCrossCA.