Blue Shield Offers Assistance to Members Affected by Wildfires In California
November 4th, 2019
UPDATED: NOVEMBER 1
SAN FRANCISCO (October 14, 2019) – Blue Shield of California is closely monitoring the impact of the wildfires across the state and the nonprofit health plan is offering the following services to help ensure members in affected areas continue to have uninterrupted access to care.
Gov. Gavin Newsom has declared a statewide state of emergency.
The affected areas include:
- The Maria Fire (Ventura County) is approximately 8,000 acres in size. Mandatory evacuations are in place for zip codes 93060, 93066.
- The Getty Fire (LA County) is 745 acres in size and 52% contained. Mandatory evacuations are in place for zip codes 90049, 90272, 90290. Some repopulation is being allowed.
- The Kincade Fire (Sonoma County) is approximately 77,000 acres in size and 68% contained. Mandatory evacuations are in place for zip codes 95425, 95441, 95448, 94515, 95467,95426, 95451, 95461, 94508, 94574, 94567, 95492, 95401, 95403, 95404, 95439,95412, 95421, 95480, 95450, 95430, 95436, 95446, 95462, 95472, 95465, 94922, 94923, 94972, 95407, 95409, 94928, 94931, 94952, 95486, 95471, 95419, 95448, 95444, 95473, 95407, 95402, 94926, 94927, 95405 and 95452. Some areas that were under mandatory evacuation orders are repopulating; I will leave the zip code list as is for now.
In those areas:
- Members who need immediate assistance should call the customer service phone number, (800) 393-6130 (TTY: 711).
- We are allowing the immediate refill of prescriptions for members in mandatory evacuation zones, even if they are not due to be refilled. In response to the statewide emergency declaration, Pharmacy has also lifted edits statewide in CA for a period of 14 days. Please note that edit lifts that are in place for mandatory evacuation areas are typically for a period of 30 days, so the longer time will be in effect for those areas.
- Blue Shield Medical Care Solutions is reaching out to members in care and disease management programs in mandatory evacuation areas to ensure continuity of care.
- Magellan Health, Blue Shield’s contracted managed care plan for behavioral health services, is providing free access to resources, materials and counseling services through its dedicated hotline: (800) 327-7451.
- Blue Shield vision plan members in fire areas can get a replacement pair of lost or broken glasses and can use non-network providers as needed with claims paid at network costs. Please contact Vision Customer Service for assistance at (877) 601-9083.
- Teladoc is offering access to general medical care at no charge for residents of the affected evacuation zones. To receive care, affected individuals should call the hotline or visit us online. Call (855) 225-5032 | Visit teladoc.com/disasterhotline
Blue Shield of California members who need immediate assistance can contact customer service at the number listed on the back of their identification card.
Members who may have lost or misplaced their identification card can print a new card on our website at blueshieldca.com. Alternatively, members can use the Blue Shield of California mobile app to access their ID card on their mobile device. These electronic cards will include the members customer care toll free number should they need that for any reason. If access to the internet or a mobile device are not available members can call 800-393-6130 to obtain a new card.
We will continue to monitor activity and may make further adjustments to continue to best serve our members.
Read about how to deal with air quality affected by wildifre smoke.
About Blue Shield of California
Blue Shield of California strives to create a health care system worthy of our family and friends that is sustainably affordable. We are a not for profit, independent member of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association with care for four million members, 6,800 employees and more than $20 billion in annual revenue. Founded in 1939 and headquartered in Oakland, Blue Shield of California and its affiliates provide health, dental, vision, Medicaid and Medicare health care service plans in California. The company has contributed more than $500 million to Blue Shield of California Foundation since 2002 to have an impact on California communities.
For more news about Blue Shield of California, please visit www.news.blueshieldca.com.