Blue Shield of California Reaching Out to Members Affected by Califor...( SAN FRANCISCO Jan. 4 -- Blue Shi...),Health

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Blue Shield of California's response to the wind storms in Northern California includes a variety of measures to make sure that members adversely affected by the storms are able to meet their medical needs and maintain access to healthcare services. Action steps include:

-- Ensuring that customer service is available to provide assistance to all members who need it, including members who are having difficulty accessing their normal network providers.

-- HMO and POS members can call 800-424-6521.

-- PPO members can call 800-200-3242.

-- IFP Members can call 800-431-2809

-- Blue Shield 65+ members can call 800-776-4466

-- TTY - Hearing impaired members can call 800-241-1823

-- Minimizing interruption to members' prescription medications. Blue Shield has developed simple guidelines for prescription drug coverage.

-- Affected members may refill prescriptions that have been lost, misplaced, damaged or destroyed by the storms.

-- Working with area hospitals and medical groups to help ensure that doctors and hospitals are available to serve members.

-- Members in need of counseling have access to our network of behavioral health providers by calling 877-263-9952.

-- Offering members access 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for medical information and assistance from a registered nurse or counseling from a master's level counselor by phone at 866-543-3728 or online at www/blueshieldca.com/nursechat with no additional charge.

As a California-based not-for-profit health plan, Blue Shield is always committed to providing support to our communities most in need.

About Blue Shield of California

Blue Shield of California, an independent member of the Blue Shield Association, is a not-for-profit health plan dedicated to providing Californians with access to high quality care at a reasonable price. Founded in 1939, it no
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