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Temporary Notice from Anthem Blue Cross 1/10/2025

We’re making temporary changes to health plan benefits to provide relief and ensure healthcare access for our 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 7 through February 5, 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

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.

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.

Eyeglasses or contact lenses that are lost or damaged

  • We can help you replace your eyeglasses or contact lenses. Call us at 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 us at 833-285-4030 if you need an extension.

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.
  • 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.

The timing and locations for these relaxed guidelines may change based on conditions. Please check back here for updates: www.anthem.com/ca/blog/cawildfire

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.

If you need additional support, please call us at 833-285-4030.

Mpox (monkeypox)

Please review our MPX page to learn more.

Reporting Outside Positive COVID-19 Tests

Students who’ve tested positive using an at home rapid antigen test or outside of UC San Diego, should send results to SHS COVID Team through MyStudentChart (Menu>Communication>COVID Request). Employees should send results through MyChart. More info is available on the COVID-19 Campus Resources and Guidelines website.

Need help?

If you need any assistance, send a MyStudentChart message to Ask-A-Nurse.