The Camp, Woolsey and Hill wildfires have quickly devastated large parts of Butte, Ventura and Los Angeles Counties, leaving countless people without their homes and belongings in Southern California, in addition to creating poor air quality for our families and friends in the Northern part of the State.
If you are in California, our friends at Anthem have resource in case you are in need of support – Whether you need answers, advice, or a
shoulder to lean on. To learn more, call 877-361-7974 or visit here for more information.
For those that wish to offer assistance, here are some resources that you can donate your time or money to in support of this tragedy, California Volunteers, suggests those interested in volunteering do so through established organizations such as the American Red Cross and United Way. As during every emergency, blood donors help patients of all ages. To learn how you can give support Schedule an appointment to donate blood at a location near you.
The Northern California Red Cross and United Way agencies are coming together to create a “NorCal Fire Relief” Fund. Support to this fund will help these agencies distribute gift cards/gas cards to evacuees, and accept applications for emergency cash assistance from those who lost their homes. If you are in the California area and want to help,
As an additional resource, The San Francisco Times has also offered resources from United Way Worldwide is developing a partnership with Airbnb to leverage their homes as part of its disaster response. Review this article to learn about how you can participate as well as other resources to help.
Below are some additional resources from our friends at Mental Health America of California and if there are other resources or needs of which you are aware, please feel free to post them here or on our social media pages and we will help get the word out.
In solidarity,
Additional Resources
Disaster Distress Helpline: Overview (for quick/easy reference)
- The Disaster Distress Helpline (DDH) provides crisis counseling and support for anyone in the U.S. experiencing distress or other behavioral health concerns related to any natural or human-caused disaster. Calls and texts are answered by a network of independently-operated crisis centers around the country, who provide psychological first aid, emotional support, crisis assessment and intervention, and referrals to local/state behavioral health services for follow-up care & support.
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- Call: (800) 985-5990
- Text: “TalkWithUs” to 66746
The DDH is a program of the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) administered by the not-for-profit & National VOAD Associate Member Vibrant Emotional Health (formerly MHA-NYC).
Please share this information widely.
Disaster Distress Helpline Phone: 1-800-985-5990 Text: “TalkWithUs” to 66746
For more from MHA visit Here
Anthem has partnered with LiveHealth Online to help everyone impacted by the wildfires. If you’ve been affected, you can see a doctor 24/7 for non-emergency conditions through live video from a smartphone, tablet or computer at no cost through November 18, 2018.
Sign up at livehealthonline.com or download the free mobile app and select Help for Wildfires Medical to see a doctor.
Help for members impacted by the November wildfire emergency in California
We’re taking steps to help our members impacted by the wildfires throughout California during the month of November. If you’re affected and live in Butte, Los Angeles or Ventura County, here’s what you should know:
- If you’re on an Anthem prescription drug plan, you can refill lost or damaged prescriptions at any pharmacy now.
- Time limits for prior authorization, precertification or referrals will be relaxed — there will be no late penalties.
- You can get medical equipment (also called Durable Medical Equipment or DME) if yours was lost or damaged.
- You can see an out-of-network provider (a doctor or provider that’s not in our health plan) if in-network providers are not available because of the fires, or if you’re out of the area due to displacement from the fires.
- You and your doctors are being given more time to file claims, if needed.
- If you use a mail order pharmacy, you can change your address by calling the Customer Care Center.
This is in effect starting November 8, 2018.
If you need help, call the Customer Care Center.
Medi-Cal members:
For Los Angeles: 1-888-285-7801
For all other counties: 1-800-407-4627
AIM/MRMIP members: 1-877-687-0549