Help for Members Impacted by the TCU Lightning Complex Fires in California

We’re making temporary changes to your health plan benefits if you live in California and are impacted by the TCU Lightning Complex Fires. We’ve relaxed certain health plan rules to make it easier for you to get care during the emergency.

The changes are in effect September 19 through October 19, 2025, for members who live in Tuolumne and Calaveras counties.

The changes are also for emergency responders who have been assigned to the area by their state or local agency.

We’re here to support you
For assistance during the emergency, chat with a live agent on this website or your health plan app, or call us at 833-285-4030. We’re available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. PT. We can help you find doctors, refill prescriptions, and answer other health plan questions.

Receiving care during the emergency

• You can receive care from any doctor or hospital, even if they’re not in your plan’s network. We’ll 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’re  unable to travel there, we can help you find another doctor. 
• If you’re in a care management program and need to reach them, contact us and we can help. 
• If you’re having a medical emergency, go to the nearest emergency room.

Prescription drug refills

• If your Anthem plan covers your prescription medicines, you can get up to a 30-day emergency supply.
• You can go to any pharmacy, even if it isn’t in your plan’s network.
• Refill limitations are suspended during the emergency.
• If you use pharmacy home delivery through Anthem and your address changed due to the emergency, call us so we can make sure to send your medicine to the right place. 

Lost medical equipment, eyeglasses, or contact lens

• Contact us and we can help you replace them.

Preapprovals or referrals

• You have more time to request them. There won’t be any late fees. Contact us if you need an extension. 

Filing a claim

• You and your doctors have more time to file claims. Contact us if you need an extension. 

Health plan premiums

• If you receive a bill directly from Anthem for your monthly health plan premium and you’re having financial problems due to the emergency, you have more time to pay your bill. Contact us and we can talk through your options. 

Mental health support

• Our mental health hotline is open 24/7. Call 800-765-4446 if you need support. There’s no cost to you. 
• Anthem’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers mental health support and resources to help with legal and financial concerns, dependent-care needs, and other life challenges. Call the 24/7 EAP crisis line at 877-208-8240. 
• Our Anthem website also offers resources for mental health support.
• Crisis support is available 24/7 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.

The dates and locations for these relaxed guidelines may change based on conditions. Please check back here for updates.

These changes are for impacted members who live in Tuolumne and Calaveras counties, California, and who have Anthem group health plans through their employers, or Anthem individual and family plans. They do not apply to Medi-Cal, 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 support, chat with a live agent on this website or your health plan app, or call us at 833-285-4030.