BATON ROUGE, La. – Louisiana is expecting two tropical weather strikes this week, with Hurricane Marco predicted to make landfall Monday and Tropical Storm Laura expected to become a hurricane before making landfall midweek.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana urges all residents to consider their health needs and take steps to prepare, especially given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. See tips, including how to download a digital ID card, at bcbsla.com/hurricanes.
Blue Cross is allowing early prescription medicine refills for a limited time, so members can make sure they have enough medication for a few days in case they need to evacuate or are unable to leave their homes because of the storms. Members who have trouble refilling a prescription can call the Pharmacy number on their ID cards for help.
As you make plans for what your family will do during the storms, consider your healthcare needs:
· Be aware that because of COVID-19 and social distancing restrictions to keep people six feet apart, processes for evacuation and sheltering will be different. Pay close attention to weather alerts for your area, and follow guidance from state and local officials.
· Keep your healthcare coverage information handy, including your ID card. Blue Cross customers can log into their member accounts to get a digital version of their ID cards. Many other health plans offer digital versions of ID cards, which is an easy way to keep this information with you.
· Make a list of your family’s health information, including any medications you take with dosages and the names of your healthcare providers and their contact information. Store this on your phone or keep a written copy someplace that you are sure to take with you if you need to evacuate. If you need to get care or get a prescription filled while away from your home, this will be very helpful.
· Sign up for telehealth services so you can be treated online if you’re away from home. Ask your regular healthcare providers if they offer telehealth. Blue Cross customers can have 24/7 online doctor visits 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 a good option to treat routine, non-emergency medical conditions like cold, pink eye, mild stomach viruses, bladder infections, rashes and more. BlueCare is available in all 50 states, and BlueCare providers can write prescriptions to treat many conditions via telehealth.
BlueCare is easy to use and costs less than ER or urgent care visits. What you pay for a BlueCare visit depends on your plan type and benefits. Before your visit begins, you’ll see what it will cost. You will not be charged until your visit is finished. Create your BlueCare account at www.BlueCareLA.com or with the BlueCare (one word) mobile app for Apple and Android devices.
To learn more about hurricane preparedness, watch Blue Cross’ short video on Summer Ready: Preparing Your Health for Hurricanes (1:00). Visit the State of Louisiana’s Get a Game Plan site for more information.
Visit the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana YouTube page to see short videos with the clinical team and others discussing various health topics. Subscribe to know when new videos are added. You can also connect with Blue Cross on social media for regular updates.
For information on what Blue Cross is doing for members during COVID-19, visit www.bcbsla.com/covid19.
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.
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