Help for Members Impacted by Hurricane Helene in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina

We’re making temporary changes to health plan benefits to provide relief and ensure healthcare access for our members who are impacted by Hurricane Helene.
 

The changes have been extended to:

• Between September 25 and May 1, 2025, for residents of the entire state of South Carolina.
• Between September 24 and May 1, 2025, for residents of the entire state of Georgia.
• Between September 23 and May 1, 2025, for residents of the following counties in Florida:

Alachua, Baker, Bay, Bradford, Brevard, Calhoun, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Columbia, DeSoto, Dixie, Duval, Escambia, Flagler, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Glades, Gulf, Hamilton, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lake, Lee, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Monroe, Nassau, Okaloosa, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Santa Rosa, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, Sumter, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, Volusia, Wakulla, Walton, and Washington

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 the Member Services number on your health plan ID card

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’re available by phone Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET.

Receiving care during the emergency

• You can receive care from any doctor or hospital, even if they are not in your plan’s network. We will cover the claims as if they are in your plan’s network.
• If your doctor’s office or healthcare facility is closed because of the emergency, or if you are unable to travel there, call the Member Services number on your ID card. We can help you find another doctor or hospital.
• If you’re in a care management program and need to reach them, call the Member Services number on your ID card.

Prescription drug refills

• If your Anthem plan covers your prescription medicines, 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 home delivery pharmacy and your address has changed, call the Member Services number on your ID card so we can make sure to send your medicine to the right place. 

Preapprovals or referrals for care

• You have more time to request them. There won’t be any late fees. Call the Member Services number on your ID card if you need an extension.

Filing a claim

• You and your doctors have more time to file claims. Call the Member Services number on your ID card 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 the Member Services number on your ID card to discuss options.

No plan cancellations

• Your plan cannot be cancelled for 60 days starting from the date of the state of emergency. We will not charge fees for late payments.

The time period for these relaxed guidelines may change based on the conditions. Please check back here for updates.

These changes are for impacted members who live in Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina and have Anthem group health plans through their employers. They do not apply to individual and family plans, Medicaid, Medicare, Medicare Part D, Medicare Advantage, Federal Employee Health Benefit Plans, or fully insured trust funds. These plans have their own guidelines.

If you need additional support, please call us at the Member Services number on your ID card.