- Allows early prescription drug refills
- Extends deadlines for claims submissions
- Allows 30-day extension to pay premiums for members
DURHAM, N.C. – In response to Hurricane Florence hitting North Carolina, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC) is taking additional steps to ensure customers’ health care coverage needs are uninterrupted by the storm. These steps expand assistance to customers in anticipation of a federal declaration for a disaster area.
“Member health and safety are our primary concern, and we are taking these steps to help customers focus on their most immediate needs,” Blue Cross NC President and CEO Patrick Conway said. “These steps will ensure that our customers can get the health care and medications they need during and after the storm.”
Effective immediately, the following policies are in place for Blue Cross NC customers and enrolled accounts in North Carolina. These policies are in effect until Oct. 13 or until the end of a federal disaster area declaration:
- Allow affected members and employers to delay paying their premiums for 30 days.
- Allow affected members to get an early prescription drug refill or replace a lost or destroyed prescription – if they make a request by Oct. 13.
- Blue Cross NC will also provide a 30-day extension for deadlines related to:
- Submission of claims;
- Filing of appeals;
- Requests for authorization of medical services; and
- Additions of newborn and adopted children to a medical policy.
- Members in North Carolina who need additional flexibility on premium payments, medications or other requirements should call the customer service number on the back of their member card.
In addition to these changes in policy, Blue Cross NC is offering resources and assistance to members affected by the storm. These include:
- Calling members with highest risk to help ensure they have made preparations for the storm, including someone to contact for help and sufficient medications on hand.
- Reminding members of the company’s fully staffed, 24/7 nurse line for calls with medical questions until they are able to see their doctor.
- Behavioral health hotline that offers free, confidential counseling services and other resources, such as referrals to local non-profit organizations, shelters and additional community-based support.
- Free telehealth services available through MDLive1 and Teladoc1.
- Updates and details on available resources through the company’s blog and social media channels.
Please remember: Blue Cross NC always advises members to go to the nearest hospital in an emergency.
About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina:
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina improves the health and well-being of our customers and communities through innovative health care products, insurance, services and information to more than 3.8 million members, including approximately 1 million served on behalf of other Blue Plans. Since 1933, we have worked to make North Carolina a better place to live through our support of community organizations, programs and events that promote good health. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Visit Blue Cross online at bluecrossnc.com. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.
1MDLive and Teladoc are separate companies that are solely responsible for the telehealth services they are providing. MDLive and Teladoc do not offer Blue Cross or Blue Shield products or services.
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