Independence Blue Cross (Independence) is taking extra measures to help its members in communities affected by Hurricane Idalia.
The company will temporarily alter some policies to ensure that members impacted in affected regions have access to the physical and emotional care they need. This includes:
- Florida: August 27, 2023, through September 26, 2023
- Georgia: August 29, 2023, through September 8, 2023
- North Carolina: August 28, 2023, through September 27, 2023
- South Carolina: August 29, 2023, through September 12, 2023
Specific steps include:
- Waiving precertification, referral, and hospital admission requirements for medically necessary care for fully insured members. Independence is also working closely with self-funded groups to ask for their flexibility in waiving these same requirements.
- Working closely with hospitals, doctors, and urgent care facilities to ensure members who may not have access to their usual physicians and facilities have access to emergent and urgent care services anywhere they need it.
- Lifting prescription refill restrictions, such as the “refill too soon” limit, and allowing members who receive prescriptions via mail order to get prescriptions at a retail pharmacy.
- Providing replacement of medical equipment or supplies for members.
- Independence is offering a toll-free Information Resource Line, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for all Independence members, to help callers cope and maintain good mental health during the recovery. Members can access this information at 1-800-327-7451.
Independence members with questions about care and medication needs are encouraged to contact the company’s Customer Service team at 1-800-ASK-BLUE (1-800-275-2583). Independence employees can ensure that members have uninterrupted access to the health care services they need during this emergency situation and the aftermath.
Independence members can also access their personal health information and find and print replacement ID cards at ibx.com.
Media contact:
Kathleen Conlon
267-918-8057 (mobile)
Kathleen.Conlon@ibx.com