Preparations by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas Will Assist Members Affected by Hurricane Ike

    DALLAS, Sept. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- As predictions increase for Hurricane
 Ike to become a category 3 or 4 storm when it reaches the Texas Gulf Coast,
 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) has announced several actions
 to assist members who may potentially be affected.
 
     "Quick access to health care and prescription medications can be
 critical for members impacted by hurricane conditions," says Darren
 Rodgers, president, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas. "Therefore, we've
 temporarily waived several key procedures that will help make access to
 health resources available quickly."
 
     Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas members should call customer
 service first in order to get information on the following temporary
 changes:
 
 

     MEMBERS
     -- Physician/Hospital Care Assistance -- If you are a BCBSTX member who
        needs medical attention during or after Hurricane Ike or a related
        disaster and are unable to seek care from your primary care physician
        or another BCBSTX network provider, you may see any licensed physician
        (MD/DO) or facility during your displacement and we will pay their
        claim at the in-network level of benefits. (Please note this does not
        suspend other exclusions or limitations of your policy.)
     -- Prescription Assistance -- Wherever you go, your prescriptions, past
        procedures, lab results and immunizations are accessible to providers
        quickly and easily by calling our Emergency Provider Hotline at
        888-421-5843.  For prescriptions, early refill requests for a 30-day
        supply will be honored. We also will provide directions and assistance
        on transferring prescriptions from a mail order service or other retail
        pharmacy, or having mail-order prescriptions sent to an alternate
        address due to temporary relocation.
     -- Member ID Card -- Providers and pharmacies will need your member ID
        number and a photo ID so they can verify your membership and file the
        claim with us. If you do not have your member ID card, need help
        finding care or have coverage questions, call 800-521-2227 and our
        customer service representatives can assist you.
 
 
     IMPORTANT Member Services Hotlines:
     > Texas Member Services: 800-521-2227 (or visit http://www.bcbstx.com)
     > BCBSTX BlueCard and Federal Employee Information: 800-676-BLUE (2583)
     > National BlueCard Access: 800-810-BLUE (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