Blue Cross Offers Services for Members Affected by Hurricane Laura

BATON ROUGE, La. – Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana has services available to help members affected by Hurricane Laura, which struck the southwest region of the state Thursday morning.

Services include:

• Early prescription medicine refills for a limited time. Members who have trouble refilling a prescription can call the Pharmacy number on their ID cards for help.
• Coverage for telehealth visits with BlueCare and other healthcare providers. Members can have 24/7 online medical visits or online behavioral health appointments with BlueCare, the insurer’s telehealth platform. BlueCare works on any device with internet and a camera, like a smartphone, laptop, tablet or computer, and is available in all 50 states. Create your BlueCare account at www.BlueCareLA.com or with the BlueCare (one word) mobile app for Apple and Android devices. Members should also ask their regular healthcare providers if they offer telehealth services, either online or by phone.
• Expanding the BlueCross Preferred Care PPO network to provide in-network coverage to HMO Louisiana, Blue Connect and Community Blue plan members who are affected by the storm. The PPO network includes many providers statewide for members to access the care they need. This is in effect through Sept. 8, 2020.
• Replacing certain medical supplies and equipment such as hearing aids, walkers or prosthetic devices that were damaged in the storm. Members can call Customer Service at the number on their ID cards to report damaged supplies or equipment and see if it can be replaced. Items that need to be replaced should be reported by Sept. 8, 2020.   
• Waiving prior authorization requirements for medical and/or behavioral health services through Sept. 8, 2020.

More information about these services is available on Blue Cross’ website, www.bcbsla.com.

Learn more about how to prepare for your health needs in hurricane season during a pandemic at bcbsla.com/hurricanes, including how to download a digital ID card.

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana is committed to our mission to improve the health and lives of Louisianians. Founded in New Orleans in 1934, we are a tax-paying nonprofit health insurer with offices in every major region to serve our customers. We were recognized in 2019 and 2020 as an honoree of The Civic 50, named by Points of Light as one of the 50 most community-minded companies in the United States.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. We are a private mutual company, owned by our policyholders, with an independent Louisiana Board of Directors and no shareholders. We invite all Louisianians to visit our website at www.bcbsla.com or talk to us on social media.