Blue Shield of California Reaching Out to Members Affected by California Storms

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Blue Shield of California's
response to the wind storms in Northern California includes a variety of
measures to make sure that members adversely affected by the storms are able
to meet their medical needs and maintain access to healthcare services.
Action steps include:

-- Ensuring that customer service is available to provide assistance to all
members who need it, including members who are having difficulty accessing
their normal network providers.
-- HMO and POS members can call 800-424-6521.
-- PPO members can call 800-200-3242.
-- IFP Members can call 800-431-2809
-- Blue Shield 65+ members can call 800-776-4466
-- TTY - Hearing impaired members can call 800-241-1823

-- Minimizing interruption to members' prescription medications. Blue Shield
has developed simple guidelines for prescription drug coverage.
-- Affected members may refill prescriptions that have been lost, misplaced,
damaged or destroyed by the storms.

-- Working with area hospitals and medical groups to help ensure that doctors
and hospitals are available to serve members.

-- Members in need of counseling have access to our network of behavioral
health providers by calling 877-263-9952.

-- Offering members access 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for medical
information and assistance from a registered nurse or counseling from a
master's level counselor by phone at 866-543-3728 or online at
www/blueshieldca.com/nursechat with no additional charge.

As a California-based not-for-profit health plan, Blue Shield is always
committed to providing support to our communities most in need.

About Blue Shield of California
Blue Shield of California, an independent member of the Blue Shield
Association, is a not-for-profit health plan dedicated to providing
Californians with access to high quality care at a reasonable price. Founded
in 1939, it now has 3.2 million members, 4,500 employees, one of the largest
provider networks and more than 20 office locations, providing a wide range of
commercial and government products throughout the state. The company
contributes $30 million annually to the Blue Shield of California Foundation
to fund nonprofit organizations that improve access to quality health care in
California. Contact your local agent or broker for more information about Blue
Shield products and services, or visit the Blue Shield web site at
www.blueshieldca.com.

SOURCE Blue Shield of California

Elise Anderson, +1-310-744-2660, elise.anderson@blueshieldca.com, or Ashley
Wilkerson, +1-310-744-2661, ashley.wilkerson@blueshieldca.com, both of Blue
Shield of California