Anthem | Expands Help for Members Impacted by Palisades Wildfire and Windstorm

Anthem hopes this message finds you and your loved ones safe and well. Thoughts are with all those affected by the devastating fires in Southern California. In these challenging times, the health and safety of the community is of utmost priority. Anthem wants to assure you that they are committed to providing the necessary support and resources to help navigate this state of emergency. Anthem's team is working diligently to ensure that members receive the assistance they need, and they stand ready to support you in any way they can.

Anthem is making temporary changes to health plan benefits to provide relief and ensure healthcare access for 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 7th through February 5th, 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 call us at 833-285-4030
Anthem is here to help make sure you have access to the healthcare you need. They can help with finding available doctors, refilling prescription drugs, and other health plan questions and are available by phone Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. PT.

Receiving care during the emergency

• You can receive care from any doctor or hospital, even if they are not in your plan’s network. Anthem will cover the claims as if they are in your plan’s network. 
• If your doctor’s office or healthcare facility is closed because of the emergency, or if you are unable to travel there, call us at 833-285-4030. Anthem can help you find another doctor.
• If you’re in a care management program and need to reach them, the contact number is 833-285-4030.

 Prescription drug refills

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

 Medical equipment that is lost or damaged

•  Anthem can help you replace your equipment (also called durable medical equipment or DME). Call 833-285-4030.

Eyeglasses or contact lenses that are lost or damaged  

•  Anthem can help you replace your eyeglasses or contact lenses. Call 833-285-4030.

 Preapprovals 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.

 Filing a claim

•  You and your doctors have more time to file claims. Call 833-285-4030 if you need an extension.

 Health plan premiums

•  If you receive a bill directly from Anthem for your monthly insurance premium and are experiencing financial difficulties because of the emergency, you have more time to pay your bill. Please call 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.
• The Anthem website also offers resources for mental health support.
• Crisis support is available if you or someone you 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.

In addition to the above, Anthem is taking the following steps on behalf of members:

•  Activating business continuity procedures to ensure continued access to care for impacted members. Please refer to https://www.anthem.com/ca for more information on how Anthem works to help members.
• Identifying members who may be medically impacted by smoke and fire.
• Coordinating with providers (e.g., hospitals and nursing homes) to assist in the event of site closures. 

Finally, Anthem is also offering free access to its online health option, LiveHealth Online to anyone living in the impacted area. LiveHealth Online offers video visits with U.S.-based board-certified doctors on a mobile device or computer from anywhere for non-emergency health conditions. The free visit offer will be available through the end of the state of emergency.

 Important Notes:

• The timing and locations for these relaxed guidelines may change based on conditions. Please check https://www.anthem.com/ca 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.
• Anthem’s Specialty lines of business do not include any pharmacy coverage. Therefore, this specific requirement about a 30-day emergency prescription refill is not applicable. All other requirements will apply to Specialty.