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Wildfire Response

Aug 31, 2020, 5 Minute Read

The numerous wildfires underway throughout California have created catastrophic damage and loss of life, in addition to taking a toll on families and loved ones.

To help those affected by the wildfires, Blue Shield of California, Humana, Magellan Healthcare, MetLife, Principal, and UnitedHealthcare are offering the following support services:

To help ensure members in affected areas continue to have uninterrupted access to care, Blue Shield is offering all members (except Medicare):

• Virtual care options, depending on your plan. Some of these telehealth options are Teladoc™, Heal, and NurseHelp 24/7. Visit blueshieldca.com to view plan options.
• Immediate refill of prescriptions even if they are not due to be refilled.
• Free behavioral health services, through Magellan Health, including free access to resources, materials and counseling services through its dedicated hotline 800.327.7451.
• A replacement pair of lost or broken glasses and the use of non-network providers at network costs for vision plan members. Contact Vision Customer Service at 877.601.9083.
• Out-of-network provider visits at in-network benefit levels.
• Medical equipment and supply replacement.
• Lost or misplaced identification cards can be printed by visiting blueshieldca.com. Or, members can use the Blue Shield of California mobile app to access their ID card on their mobile device.
• Immediate assistance by calling customer service at 800.393.6130 (TTY: 711).

To help anyone in need (EAP members and non-members) deal with traumatic events like wildfires, Humana’s Emergency Community Response Line will connect you to local resources. Call their free, confidential number at 888.673.1154. Learn more.

ID Card Replacement

• Members can call 800.233.4013 to replace a lost ID card. They are also available electronically through Humana’s mobile app.

Dental and Vision Virtual Care Options

• Teledentistry is covered and members can order glasses or contacts from Contacts Direct or Glasses.com.

MetLife Legal Plan

To help people get back on their feet after a natural disaster, MetLife Legal Services has activated its disaster relief program.

MetLife’s Network Attorneys can provide advice and consultation for many issues, including:

• Reviewing documents related to federal aid and insurance claims.
• Providing assistance with identity theft issues due to lost personal documents.
• Legal help for renters or homeowners related to damaged property.
• Dealing with creditors and bill collectors.

For any group that currently has a MetLife Legal Plan, employees (whether or not they are enrolled in the Legal Plan) have access to the Disaster Relief Plan and can call the Customer Service Center at 800.821.6400. Download the flyer and FAQs to learn more.

MetLife EAP Customers

Guidance, emotional support, and resources are available to employees anytime at 888.319.7819. Employees may also visit metlifeeap.lifeworks.com (username: metlifeeap; password: eap)  for practical tools including the Emergency Preparedness Toolkit and the Natural Disasters Toolkit.

LifeWorks 24/7 Crisis Support Line for The Community
Morneau Shepell has opened its 24/7 crisis support hotline for anyone affected by the ongoing devastation. While the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) helpline is open for eligible employees, the Crisis Support Line, at 877.757.7587, is available 24/7 to anyone in the community in need of emotional support in relation to these events. By calling, individuals will receive professional emotional support and/or referrals to community resources.

Please note: This crisis support line is not the full EAP offering, but it is there to provide immediate support to those who are impacted by these fires.

Free EAP Services

To support members impacted by the wildfires, Principal is offering free Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Services 24/7/365, to all Principal groups, from EAP vendor, Magellan Health.

• Free 24-hour crisis line, at 800.356.7089, to assist individuals as they work to cope with the feelings of fear, sadness, anger, and hopelessness related to these kinds of natural disasters.
• The toll-free number for free confidential consultation services and referrals to local non-profit organizations, shelters, and additional community-based support is 800.327.7451.
  
• Visit Magellan’s website for tip sheets with resources specific to trauma and steps towards recovery. Resources specific to disasters, emergency preparedness, response, and recovery can be found on Ready.gov.

ID Card Replacement

• Dental members can obtain a new dental ID and/or vision ID card by contacting Member Services at 800.247.4695 or www.principal.com.
• VSP vision customer service can also help 800.877.7195. Please note: Principal provides the Privacy ID (located on the ID card or online) and starts with a 9) to VSP and not the member’s social security number.

Dental and Vision Virtual Care Options

• Dental members will be reimbursed for services performed via teledentistry. 
• Vision services are challenging to provide on a virtual basis, however, members can access essential medical eye care services. These will be handled via telehealth whenever possible. For more information, contact VSP at 800.877.7195.

Dental and Vision Out-of Network Care

• Displaced members can see a non-network dental or vision provider.

Replacement Pair of Lost or Broker Glasses

• If routine care is still closed in the member’s area, they can use routine VSP coverage for lost or broken glasses or replacement contact lenses to meet immediate eyewear needs. Contact the VSP network doctor to get the eyewear needed. For more information, contact VSP at 800.877.7195.

Additional Resources

• Supporting Employees Impacted by Wildfires
  How to support employees during difficult times.
• Coping with Wildfires
  Protecting your family and home.
• Wildfires – Being Prepared For an Evacuation
  Recommended tips from the American Red Cross.
• Coping with Traumatic Events
  How you can help yourself.

To support affected members enrolled in fully insured health plans across California from August 14, 2020 through September 2, 2020, UnitedHealthcare is offering:

Member Access to Care and Early Prescription Refills

• Those displaced from their homes or whose network or medical facility is inaccessible can call the number on the back of their ID card for assistance. If a network provider is not available, members will be permitted to access out-of-network care, and it will be covered at their in-network coinsurance level.
• Fill existing prescriptions early (one time, 90-day refill) and/or replace durable medical equipment (includes hearing aids, eyeglasses and dentures), if necessary.
• Time limits around notifications, referrals and pre-certification requirements are being relaxed. Filing deadlines for claims and appeals are also being extended.
• Employer-sponsored and individual health plan members can download the UnitedHealthcare app for Android™ and Apple^® devices (at no additional cost) to access their health plan ID card, review and manage prescription medications, locate nearby network care providers and facilities, view account information, and more. The app also enables eligible plan participants to directly schedule and conduct a Virtual Visit with a doctor and arrange a callback from a UnitedHealthcare customer service advocate.(Additional out-of-pocket costs may be required for telemedicine services depending on the plan and any applicable state requirements.) 

Help for The Broader Community

• Optum is offering a free emotional support helpline. The toll-free number, 866.342.6892, is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for as long as necessary. The service is free of charge and open to anyone, including individuals who are not UnitedHealthcare members. Callers may also receive referrals to community resources.
• Emotional-support resources and information are available online at www.liveandworkwell.com

Please pass this information on to anyone you know that has been impacted and needs assistance.

Questions?
Contact your Claremont team at 800.696.4543 or info@claremontcompanies.com.

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