Resources for Southern California Wildfires
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Resources for Members Impacted by Southern California Wildfires

Last Updated: January 16, 2025

Anthem Blue Cross

 Anthem is making temporary changes to health plan benefits to provide relief and ensure healthcare access for our members who live in Southern California and are impacted by the wildfire emergencies. Our website has been updated with the resources available, here is the direct link https://www.anthem.com/ca/blog/cawildfire .

For assistance during this emergency, please call us at 833-285-4030 or the number on the back of your ID Card

We are here to help make sure you have access to the healthcare you need. We can help with finding available doctors, refilling prescription drugs, and other health plan questions. We’re 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. We 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. We can help you find another doctor.
  • If you’re in a care management program and need to reach them, call 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 attempts to fill a prescription and the claim rejects, the pharmacy should call the CarelonRx Retail Helpdesk for assistance – 833-296-5038.
  • If you use Anthem’s home delivery pharmacy and your address changed, call us at 833-285-4030 so we can make sure to send your medicine to the right place.

 Medical equipment that is lost or damaged

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

  Mental health support  (EAP is available to all impacted members, regardless of if their Employer has EAP services with Anthem or not)

  • 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. 
  • Our 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.

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. 

Kaiser Permanente 

Member Support Accomodations

To support members affected by the wildfires, Kaiser Permanente has temporarily expanded our pharmacy network to include non-Kaiser Permanente pharmacies, and we are lifting the early refill restrictions for Southern California Commercial, Medicare, and Self-Funded members.  Additionally, if members are having difficulty accessing Kaiser Permanente facilities for care appointments, they can contact the appointment call center, and we will make arrangements for them to see a non-Kaiser Permanente provider at their in-network benefit. Note: This care access must be coordinated through our appointment call centers.

Updates on kp.org and Contact Center Support

If your employees have other questions about:

  • Kaiser Permanente facility closures
  • Access to their prescriptions
  • Health and safety recommendations for people with respiratory issues
  • Mental health resources 

kp.org has a dedicated page that is updated frequently with the latest information on these topics and more.

If members have further questions, they can always call our Member Services Contact Center, which is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (closed holidays).

  • English: 1-800-464-4000
  • Spanish: 1-800-788-0616 
  • Chinese dialects: 1-800-757-7585 
  • TTY: 711

Delta Dental

While dental care may not be top of mind for those affected by these devastating fires, enrollees and their family members may face dental emergencies or require ongoing dental treatment. We’re here to help provide access to care and customer support during this difficult time.

Our Delta Dental contact center is fully staffed and ready to assist California members impacted by the fires. We can help you locate alternative dental care options, especially for planned or urgent care needs, if your regular provider is unavailable due to displacement or closures caused by the fires.

Members can contact our contact center, which is open Monday-Friday from 6 AM PST - 5 PM PST.

Members with Employer-sponsored plans:
Call us: 1-800-554-1907
Text us: 1-833-604-1246

VSP

If the recent disaster has impcated you, no-cost eye care and replacement eyewear is available for VSP members.

Here's what VSP is doing to help and what you can share:

  • Any VSP member who has lost or broken their eyewear due to the SoCal fires can call our Member Services Support Line at 800.877.7195 to have their VSP benefits reinstated regardless of eligibility.

  • Individuals without VSP coverage can contact their local American Red Cross chapter or shelter, or call 800. RED-CROSS (800.733.2767) to ask about support for replacement eyewear, which may include VSP Eyes of Hope gift certificates or an alternative solution.

Members can also refer to the below website which is up 24/7.

https://www.vsp.com/natural-disaster-resources

Optum - Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

For all individuals:

  • The Optum Emotional Support Line is open for the California-Pacific Palisades Wildfire. The event is specifically impacting Los Angeles and Ventura counties.
  • The public line will be open for 2 calendar weeks, starting from 1/8/2025

Optum Public Crisis Line:  

  • Call 866-447-3573 for support Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. CST

Optum Natural Disaster Flyer 

California Wildfire Press Release

  • This is the information released from the Office of the Governor which you can also share.  Information and resources are listed.
  • This can also be found on the liveandworkwell.com site on the bottom of the homepage under Important Communications

Optum Website

Access Code: CSEBO