ALERT CONCERNING COVERAGE FOR BCBSIL MEMBERS

During a natural disaster, you never know where you may end up. We at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois understand that many of our members living in the Gulf Coast region of the United States may be displaced as a result of this season’s tropical storms, hurricanes, storm surges, flooding and tornados.

We are prepared to assist our members who have been displaced in Texas, or from another state into Texas, with special provisions for accessing care and prescription medications.  

MEMBERS

If you are a BCBSIL member who lives, goes to school, works or are traveling in Texas, and you are displaced by Hurricane Ike, the following provisions have been implemented and are effective for medical care occurring Sept. 7-Oct. 15.

• If you have an emergency situation, go directly to the nearest hospital.
• If you are unable to seek care from your primary care physician or another network provider, you may see any licensed physician (MD/DO), dentist or facility during your displacement and we will pay their claim at the in-network level of benefits. (Please note this does not suspend other exclusions or limitations of your policy.)
• For prescriptions, early refill requests for a 30-day supply will be honored. We also will provide directions and assistance in transferring prescriptions from a mail order service or other retail pharmacy, or having mail-order prescriptions sent to an alternate address due to temporary relocation.
• Providers and pharmacies will need your member ID number with the BlueCard suitcase logo in the lower right-hand corner, and a photo ID so they can verify your membership and file the claim with us. If you do not have your member ID card, need help finding care or have coverage questions, call us toll free at  800-810-BLUE (2583) and our customer service representatives can assist you. Or, log into Blue Access for Members® on the BCBSIL Web site.

Hurricane Gustav
Time Period Covered Under Temporary Policy Requirement Waivers: Aug. 27-Sept. 12, 2008

Area Qualified for Temporary Policy Requirement Waivers: In general, the coastal areas of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida. In Texas, Chambers, Orange, Hardin and Jefferson counties.

Hurricane Ike - Update! Waivers Extended to Oct. 15 
Time Period Covered Under Temporary Policy Requirement Waivers: Sept. 7-Oct. 15, 2008

Area Qualified for Temporary Policy Requirement Waivers: In Texas, Angelina, Austin, Brazoria, Brazos, Chambers, Cherokee, Fort Bend, Galveston, Gregg, Grimes, Hardin, Harris, Houston, Jasper, Jefferson, Liberty, Madison, Matagorda, Montgomery, Nacogdoches, Newton, Orange, Polk, Rusk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Trinity, Tyler, Walker, Waller, Washington, and Wharton counties.