Blue Shield of California, employees and Blue Shield of California Foundation donate nearly $60,000 to help wildfire victims rebuild their lives after Carr Fire.
Blue Shield of California today announced its support for local Carr Fire victims through a series of donations from the nonprofit health plan, the Blue Shield of California Foundation and Blue Shield employees totaling nearly $60,000.
“We are dedicated to making sure our members have access to health plan services when the worst happens,” said Kimberley Goode, senior vice president, external affairs. “Despite being impacted by the Carr Fire, our employees in the area continue to provide compassionate service to our members. They are a model to us all at Blue Shield. We will continue to support our members, our employees, our providers and the community as they begin the recovery process.”
The nearly $60,000 combined donation includes $25,000 to the United Way of Northern California from Blue Shield, nearly $10,000 from employee and company match donations to the Red Cross, and a $25,000 donation by the Blue Shield of California Foundation to the Shasta Regional Community Foundation’s Disaster Relief Fund.
“As our neighbors in Redding face tremendous devastation from the Carr Fire, we know that the fabric of their community is strong enough to withstand even the most dire hardship,” said Peter Long, president and CEO, Blue Shield of California Foundation. “We stand with the people of Redding and offer our support as they battle the fire and begin to rebuild their vibrant community.”
“United Way is extremely grateful for this gift, which will help us deliver emergency cash to residents and vital 2-1-1 services to the community. Blue Shield and its employees are an integral part of our community in Redding and the North State,” said Larry Olmstead, president and CEO, United Way of Northern California. “I am pleased – but not surprised – to know that all of us can count on Blue Shield’s leadership and support as we meet the challenge of this unprecedented fire emergency.”
Assistance to Plan Members Affected by California Wildfires
– Blue Shield is closely monitoring the wildfires in Lake, Mendocino, Riverside and Shasta counties, and the nonprofit health plan is offering the following services to help ensure members in affected areas continue to have uninterrupted access to care.
– Blue Shield is allowing for the immediate refill of prescriptions for members in mandatory evacuation zones, even if they are not yet due to be refilled.
– The health plan is conducting outreach to affected members who are currently participating in a care management program to ensure continuity of care.
– Magellan Health, Blue Shield’s contracted managed care plan for behavioral health, is providing free access to resources, materials and counseling services through its dedicated hotline: 1-800-327-7451.
– Blue Shield of California members who need immediate assistance can contact customer service at 1-800-393-6130.
Members who may have lost or misplaced their identification card can print a new card on our website at blueshieldca.com. Alternatively, members can use the Blue Shield of California mobile app to access their ID card on their mobile device.
We will continue to monitor activity and may make further adjustments to continue to best serve our members.
For Cal Fire’s latest information on the Carr Fire with respect to California wildfires and evacuations, click here.