Wildfire Resources Page

After a dry winter and early heat waves, California is once again in the grip of drought. While wildfires are a natural part of California’s landscape, the fire season in California and across the West is starting earlier and ending later each year. In addition to the tremendous toll that wildfires take on personal property, wildfires also spread air pollution thousands of miles away, causing breathing difficulties in even healthy individuals, as well as those with heart disease, diabetes, asthma, COPD and other lung diseases.

In response, CVT as developed this helpful list of resources and health plan-specific information that may be helpful to members during this wildfire season:

ANTHEM BLUE CROSS:

Anthem Blue Cross is making temporary changes to health plan benefits to provide relief for those members residing in the following counties who must leave their homes due to the effects of California’s current wildfire emergencies:

  • Alpine (effective August 30, 2021 to September 28, 2021)
  • Amador (effective August 30, 2021 to September 28, 2021)
  • Butte (effective August 30, 2021 to September 28, 2021)
  • El Dorado (effective August 17, 2021 to October 7, 2021)
  • Lake County (effective September 7, 2021 to October 6, 2021)
  • Lassen (effective August 30, 2021 to September 28, 2021)
  • Nevada (effective August 5, 2021 to September 8, 2021)
  • Placer (effective August 30, 2021 to September 28, 2021)
  • Plumas (effective August 30 to September 28, 2021)
  • Shasta (effective September 27, 2021 to October 26, 2021)
  • Siskiyou (effective August 5, 2021 to October 7, 2021)
  • Tehama (effective August 10, 2021 to September 23, 2021)
  • Trinity (effective August 10, 2021 to  September 8, 2021)

Changes include: 

  • Waiving the notification time limit of medical necessity reviews/prior authorizations
  • Allowing replacement of durable medical equipment or supplies
  • Extending filing deadlines for claims
  • Allowing enrollees access to appropriate out-of-network providers at the in-network level of benefits if an in-network provider is unavailable due to the emergency, or if an enrollee is out of the area due to displacement

Should you have questions about any of these changes, please call Anthem Blue Cross’ dedicated customer service line at (800) 234-4333.

 

CONSUMER MEDICAL:

 

CVS HEALTH:

On September 7, 2021, a Governor’s Declaration of Emergency was issued for Lake County in California due to Cache Fire. 

CVS Health cares about the safety of CVT members and the delivery of their medications.

  • CVS Health is prepared to help members in affected areas. Customer Care will approve one-time emergency refills of a 10-day supply of medication for affected members in this area. 

  • Impacted members within this emergency area taking specialty medications will be contacted to discuss alternate delivery arrangements if needed.
  • The use of courier services will be engaged as necessary. If an override is needed for a specialty medication, CVS Health Specialty Operations will contact account management for approval. No UPS service disruptions have been reported.
  • Members who have questions about a medication delivery should call the CVS Health Customer Care team at (888) 354-6390.

 

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

Achieve Solutions Site - Articles

  • Wildfires: Before, During and After
  • Mobile Apps to Help you Manage Your Health and Safety
  • Natural Disaster Resources

 

WILDFIRE PREPAREDNESS AND RECOVERY:

 

NATIONAL WILDFIRE COORDINATING GROUP

 

U.S. AIR QUALITY INDEX

 

POWEROUTAGE.US

 

ROAD CLOSURES

 

LOCAL RED CROSS LOCATOR

Red Cross Smartphone Apps

 

2-1-1

 

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

500 C Street Southwest

Washington, DC 20472

800-621-FEMA

 

FEMA Text Message Program

  • To locate an open emergency shelter, text SHELTER and a zip code to 43362 (4FEMA).
  • To locate an open Disaster Recovery Center, text DRC and a zip code to 43362 (4FEMA).

Please note that standard message and data rates apply.

 

California Governor's Office of Emergency Services

 

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families

 

Local Salvation Army Locator