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Help for Members Impacted by Tropical Storm Idalia in Florida

September 25, 2023

We are making temporary changes to health plan benefits to provide relief and help ensure healthcare access for members who live in Florida counties impacted by Tropical Storm Idalia. 

The changes are in effect between August 26 and October 31, 2023, for the following Florida counties:

Alachua, Baker, Bay, Bradford, Brevard, Calhoun, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Columbia, DeSoto, Dixie, Duval, Flagler, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hamilton, Hardee, Hernando, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lake, Lee, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Nassau, Orange, Osceola, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, Sumter, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, Volusia, and Wakulla counties.

The changes also apply to emergency responders who have been activated to the impacted area by their state or local agency, but who do not live in the impacted area.

For assistance during this emergency, please call us at 833-285-4030.

We want to help make sure you have access to the healthcare you need. We can help with finding available doctors, refilling prescription drugs, and other health plan questions. We are available by phone Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET.

Prescription refills

  • If your Anthem plan covers your prescription medications, you can receive up to a 30-day emergency refill at any pharmacy now, even if it’s not in your plan’s network. 
  • If you use Anthem’s mail-order pharmacy and your address changed, call us at 833-285-4030 so we can make sure to send your medicine to the right place.  

Filing a claim

You and your doctors have more time to file claims. Call us at 833-285-4030 if you need an extension.

Health plan premiums

If you receive a bill directly from Anthem for your monthly insurance premium and are experiencing financial difficulties as a result of the emergency, you have more time to pay your bill. Please call us at 833-285-4030 to discuss options.

Mental health support 

  • Our website also offers helpful resources for mental health support, including connecting to mental healthcare professionals.
  • Crisis support is available if you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts or behavior, is experiencing emotional distress, or is behaving in a way that could harm others. Call 988 or go to 988lifeline.org  to reach the confidential Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Help is available 24/7.

The time period for updated support and care may change based on the conditions. Please check back here for updates.

These changes are for members with Anthem group health plans through their employers, or Anthem individual and family plans. They do not apply to Medicaid, Medicare, Medicare Supplement, or Federal Employee Health Benefit Plans, which have their own guidelines.

If you need additional support, please call us at 833-285-4030.

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In addition to using a telehealth service, you can receive in-person or virtual care from your own doctor or another healthcare provider in your plan’s network. If you receive care from a doctor or healthcare provider not in your plan’s network, your share of the costs may be higher. You may also receive a bill for any charges not covered by your health plan.
 
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