Los Angeles County Wildfires - Service Updates for L.A. Care Members

Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, due to dangerous winds and fires.

We know this will be a challenging and potentially dangerous time. Our thoughts are with our L.A. Care members impacted by the winds and fires, and we want to help ensure your access to care.

Please note the following service updates for L.A. Care members affected by wildfires in Los Angeles County.

 

Prescriptions

L.A. Care will help members refill prescriptions at in-network or out-of-network pharmacies without prior authorization if their medications were lost in the fire, left behind during an evacuation, or their regular pharmacy is shut down due to the emergency. Members can also obtain new prescriptions at out-of-network pharmacies. These prescriptions will be at normal in-network cost-sharing.
 

Access to Medically Necessary Care

To ensure uninterrupted care, L.A. Care has made some temporary policy changes:

  • Notification of Admission requirements from both in network and out of network hospital emergency room departments will be suspended. Hospitals may request authorization post admission and may not be denied due to lack of repatriation attempt.
     
  • Effective immediately, prior authorization will not be required for discharge needs, such as:
    • Home Health Services
    • Durable Medical Equipment (DME)
    • Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs)
    • Acute Inpatient Rehabilitation Units 
       
  • If you are a provider and unable to receive your written authorization notification, or you are looking for the status of an authorization, please call: 877-431-2273, select option 3, then select option 2.
     
  • If you are a member and unable to receive your written authorization notification, or you are looking for the status of an authorization, please call:

 

Out-of-Network Care

During this emergency, some members may have to seek out-of-network services. Medical equipment or supplies can also be replaced for displaced members.

Members accessing care out-of-network should not incur any additional cost-sharing. L.A. Care has chosen to extend filing deadlines for claims.

Members can also use MinuteClinic® walk-in retail clinics as an option for care. Visit L.A. Care’s Retail Clinics for more information.

 

Transportation

If you are a member whose planned medical transportation could be impacted by the fires currently active in and around Los Angeles County, we will accommodate changes to your existing reservation. In addition, we will allow you to reschedule for a future date or alternative facility. Contact L.A. Care to request a change to your existing reservation.
 

Telehealth

If your doctor is not available and you have a non-emergency medical issue, Teladoc is one way of getting services.  You can talk to a doctor by phone or video 24/7, anytime, anywhere in California.  They can diagnose and treat minor illnesses and prescribe medication if necessary.  

Visit L.A. Care’s Telehealth for more information.

You can also call the L.A. Care Nurse Advice Line at 1.800.249.3619 if you are not sure you need this type of urgent care, emergency services or self-care at home.

 

Mental Health

If you or your loved ones are experiencing mental health distress and are in need of services due to the Los Angeles wildfires, please contact L.A. Care and Carelon Behavioral Health crisis support line at: 800-580-6934. 

You can also visit L.A. Care's Behavioral Health Services for more information.

You may also use the following resources to get help for you and your loved ones:

 

Enhanced Care Management

Enhanced Care Management (ECM) is a statewide Medi-Cal benefit available at no cost to eligible members with complex needs. ECM provides personalized support to help manage health conditions and address external challenges, such as those caused by the recent wildfires in Los Angeles County.

If you or someone you know has been impacted by the wildfires and may benefit from additional support, consider making a referral to ECM. To qualify, members must be enrolled in a Medi-Cal managed care health plan like L.A. Care and meet at least one of the ECM Populations of Focus definitions. To learn more or make a referral please visit this link: Enhanced Care Management | L.A. Care Health Plan.

 

Community Supports

Community Supports are services provided by Medi-Cal managed care plans like L.A. Care to address Medi-Cal members’ health-related social needs, help them live healthier lives, and avoid higher, costlier levels of care. Medi-Cal members may receive a Community Supports service if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Medi-Cal members impacted by the wildfires may benefit from Community Supports services, including:

Medi-Cal members can use the following links to help answer any service specific questions: 

More information about Community Supports services is available.

 

More Information

We are here to help. Please call one of the following numbers:

We are available 24/7. You can also call us if you have any questions or complaints. L.A. Care will extend grievance and appeal filing deadlines for affected members.
 

Recovery

Disaster Recovery Centers

Disaster recovery centers are a one-stop shop to provide survivors resources. At a disaster recovery center, residents and business owners can apply for federal assistance and access other available resources from local, state and non-profit agencies. These can include learning about disaster assistance programs, find housing and rental assistance information, meet with state agency representatives, and get help from non-profits.

  • When visiting a disaster recovery center, it’s helpful to bring some important information with you.
  • Address of the damaged primary residence
  • Insurance coverage information
  • Current phone number and mailing address
  • Bank account information 

FEMA representatives will be on site at the Disaster Recovery Centers.

View more information about these centers from KTLA and the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services.

You can also visit the L.A. County recovery website:


Disaster CalFresh

Governor Newsom announced that individuals and families directly impacted by the recent fires in Los Angeles County – living in certain zip codes – may be eligible to receive Disaster CalFresh food benefits. View the Governor's press release for eligibility information and how to apply.
 

Smoke Exposure and Air Quality

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has a very informative Wildfire Smoke FAQs, which answers questions related to reducing exposure to smoke, effects on health and water supplies, and more.

The South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) issues smoke advisories that detail the status of fires in Los Angeles and other counties. You can see their daily advisory updates and access other air quality resources at the SCAQMD website.
 

Stay Prepared

If you live in an area affected by these fires, please be careful and follow the instructions of the public safety officers that are working to protect lives and property.

The Los Angeles Fire Department suggests keeping the six "P's" in mind in case you must evacuate:

  • People and pets
  • Papers, phone numbers and important documents
  • Prescriptions, vitamins and eyeglasses
  • Personal computers
  • "Plastic" (credit cards, ATM cards) and cash

More Information

Additional Resources

L.A. Care Community Link logo

If you need help with other issues, L.A. Care Community Link is a useful tool to connect you to community agencies and government programs in your area. L.A. Care Community Link can show you local services for essentials like food, unemployment, housing and financial assistance.

Go to L.A. Care Community Link