Hurricane Katrina Support

We are saddened by the destruction of property and personal lives wrought by Hurricane Katrina. We have made special provisions to help our members who reside in or have been temporarily displaced from areas affected by the storm and its aftermath. We have revised our medical and pharmacy guidelines to make it easier for you to quickly access health care and medications and to contact us whenever you need help.

EASIER ACCESS TO MEDICAL SERVICES AND PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

Medical Services

• You are encouraged to seek care from any available health care provider whether or not the provider is within our network. We understand that you may not be able to go to your regular doctor, hospital or other health care provider. That's why Independence Blue Cross will temporarily waive out-of-network penalties and penalties related to lack of pre-certification at least until November 1, 2005.
• You are also able to receive medical treatment without pre-certifications at your doctor's request at least until November 1, 2005. There will be no pre-certification penalties applied for late authorizations.
• We will approve all requests to replace Durable Medical Equipment items lost because of Hurricane Katrina.

Prescription Medications

• You can refill your prescriptions early if you lost your prescription medicines because of Hurricane Katrina. Please call Member Services so that we can help coordinate the early refill. Member Services can be reached at the number on the back of the member ID card. If you no longer have your member ID card, you can call our national toll free line – 1-888-516-8309 – to reach us.
• IBC will fully reimburse you for the out-of-network costs if you go to a non-participating pharmacy to ensure that you receive the medications you need. While about 90 percent of pharmacies nationwide participate in our network, we understand that you may need to go to a pharmacy that is not within our network. Please call the Member Services number on the back of your ID card for instructions on how to receive your reimbursement. If you no longer have your member ID card, you can call our national toll free line – 1-888-516-8309 – to reach us.

• We will approve your requests for a three-month or greater supply of your prescription medication. Please call the Member Services number on the back of your member ID card to confirm coverage.
• We will cover any immunization your doctor requests if you need to travel to Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama to assist in the disaster recovery efforts.

IF YOU NEED HELP, CONTACT INDEPENDENCE BLUE CROSS

Members are encouraged to call the Member Services phone number on the back of their member ID cards. Members who have lost their member ID cards can our national toll-free number for assistance:

We will mail replacement ID cards to your temporary address at your request.

Members and providers can also call the toll free line to receive benefit information. A live operator will be available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Voicemail is available after hours.

If you need help locating a participating hospital, doctor or other health care provider, you can access our online provider directory at www.ibxpress.com.

DONATIONS TO THE RELIEF EFFORT

Our associates at Independence Blue Cross have been touched by the plight of the Hurricane Katrina victims. Many donated their time and resources to help those devastated by the storm. Independence Blue Cross has pledged a dollar-for-dollar match for all contributions our associates make to the American Red Cross. As of Tuesday, September 13, Associates have donated over $42,300 to the American Red Cross, which IBC will match.

In addition, IBC immediately donated $100,000 – half to the southeastern Pennsylvania chapter of American Red Cross and half to a coordinated nationwide effort by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association to raise $1 million for the American Red Cross. So far, nationally BCBSA donations to the American Red Cross have exceeded $3 million – more than triple the initial $1 million goal.