Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas Prepared to Assist Members Affected by Hurricane Gustav

    DALLAS, Sept. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- In response to the widespread
 displacement caused by Hurricane Gustav, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of
 Texas (BCBSTX) announced several actions to assist members affected by the
 hurricane.
 
     "We are gratified that the impact of Hurricane Gustav was less than
 originally anticipated and we are prepared to help our members get the care
 they need. To assist displaced members, we've temporarily waived several
 key procedures that will help make access to care and prescription
 medications readily available," says Darren Rodgers, president, Blue Cross
 and Blue Shield of Texas.
 
     Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas members (including displaced
 members of other states' Blues plans and volunteer/relief workers from
 across the country) should call customer service first in order to get
 information on the following temporary changes:
 
     FOR BCBSTX MEMBERS
 
     Customer Service representatives are ready to assist displaced members
 who need help finding care, have coverage questions or need replacement ID
 cards. Members will be asked by providers for their ID number. If patients
 do not have their member ID number, they can call 800-521-2227 to retrieve
 their information. Up-to-date information for BCBSTX can also be accessed
 at http://www.bcbstx.com, by clicking on the Hurricane Information icon on
 the right side of the screen.
 
 

     -- Physician/Hospital Care Assistance -- For members unable to seek care
        from their Primary Care Physician (PCP) or another BCBSTX network
        physician or hospital, they can obtain care from any licensed physician
        (MD/DO) or facility during their displacement.
          -- Payment will be at in-network benefit levels at allowable amounts.
          -- Pre-certification and referral requirements will be waived so that
             members can obtain immediate access to care.
 
 
     -- Prescription Assistance -- For prescriptions, certain procedures will
        be temporarily waived for displaced members.  Early refills and
        duplicate requests by members will be honored upon request.
          -- If requested by members, mail order prescriptions will be shipped
             overnight at no additional charge.
          -- Mail order deliveries will be attempted at alternate addresses, if
             requested.
          -- Mail order prescriptions can be filled at retail pharmacies.
          -- The member co-payment for replacement medications will be waived
             upon request.
          -- We will provide directions and assistance on how to transfer
             prescriptions to other retailers and from mail order to retail.
 
 
     -- Member Services Hotlines
          -- Texas:  800-521-2227 (or visit http://www.bcbstx.com)
          -- Louisiana:  800-495-BLUE (2583) -- (Customer Service Center is
             currently closed. Members must call the Texas number above until
             the Louisiana center re-opens or visit
             http://www.bcbsla.com/web/reddotcm/html/default.asp.)
          -- Mississippi:  800-942-0278
          -- Alabama:  800-292-8868
          -- Florida:  800-FLA-BLUE (352-2583)
 
     Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas -- the only statewide,
 customer-owned health insurer in Texas -- is the largest provider of health
 benefits in the state, working with nearly 40,000 physicians and 400
 hospitals to serve 4 million members in all 254 counties. Blue Cross and
 Blue Shield of Texas is a Division of Health Care Service Corporation
 (HCSC), the country's largest customer-owned health insurer and fourth
 largest health insurer overall. HCSC is a Mutual Legal Reserve Company and
 an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
 
 
 

SOURCE Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas