Serving all of California
Archive for February, 2008
Blue Cross of California Halts Letters Amid Furor
Feb 13th
Blue Cross of California has been sending letters to it’s physicians for years asking them to make sure they inform the insurer if there are any medical conditions so as to be able to “decline” coverage. The Los Angeles Times posted an article about this stating:
Facing a torrent of criticism Tuesday, Blue Cross of California abruptly halted its practice of asking physicians in a letter to look for medical conditions that could be used to cancel patients’ insurance coverage.
In a statement issued about 6 p.m., the state’s largest for-profit insurer said, “Today we reached out to our provider partners and California regulators and determined this letter is no longer necessary and, in fact, was creating a misimpression and causing some members and providers undue concern.
The letter had been sharply criticized Monday by the California Medical Assn., and Tuesday night its president, Richard Frankenstein, said: “This letter was part of Blue Cross’ pattern of unfairly canceling policies when people need coverage most. We’re relieved that Blue Cross is ending this particular tactic but continue to have serious concerns about this company’s practices looking forward.”
New Lumenos® customer service phone numbers
Feb 4th
Lumenos customer service phone numbers for the west have changed (on January 2, 2008).
Now California Lumenos members should call:- 866-837-4463 – CA Individual Lumenos
- 866-837-4595 – CA Small Group members
- Call center hours are
- Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. to midnight Pacific time
- Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Pacific time
- For members with effective dates before December 1, 2007, we’re sending new ID cards and a stuffer explaining the change
- For new members with effective dates of December 1 through December 31, 2007, we sent a letter explaining that the customer service number on their ID card is effective January 2, 2008, and provided the correct number to call before January 2.
- We sent a letter to Group Administrators explaining the change, and provided stuffers for them to give to their employees when they presented their ID cards.
If a member calls the old number, the call center team in Virginia will provide the correct number based on the caller’s state and contract type (individual, small group or large group).
Why the change?- Moving consumer-driven call centers to the local call centers is the first step toward better integrating consumer-driven business with regional sales and More >
Blue Cross of California Becomes Anthem Blue Cross
Feb 4th
Blue Cross of California recently notified its agents of a major change from the name Blue Cross of California to Anthem Blue Cross on April 1st, 2008. The statement goes on to read:
Blue Cross of California begins doing business as Anthem Blue Cross on April 1, 2008. We’re excited about our new name, since it more effectively symbolizes what our plans represent: the security of Anthem’s heritage with the strength and stability of Blue Cross. As Anthem Blue Cross, we’ll be able to leverage an advantage that our competitors can’t claim – our size. The Anthem name showcases our status as the nation’s largest health benefits company, and when combined with our local market focus, we’re better situated to offer our consumers a more complete benefits solution.
This means Blue Cross of California products and services will be offered under the Anthem Blue Cross brand. Blue Cross of California’s affiliate BC Life & Health Insurance Company is also adopting the Anthem brand and has changed its name to Anthem Blue Cross Life and Health Insurance Company.
The brand change to Anthem is effective for our complete product portfolio including medical, dental, vision, life, employee assistance programs and behavioral health services.
The Anthem brand, More >
Why Choose Blue Cross of California?
Feb 2nd
Why Anthem Blue Cross?
Anthem Blue Cross of California is committed to improving health care for all of us. After all, they’ve been here for over 60 years addressing changes in the healthcare system and making sure Californians can get the care they need at a price they can afford. From their vast network of doctors to alternative medicine coverage to personalized plans, toll-free help lines and member focused services, Anthem Blue Cross of California is California’s leading healthcare company.
Our commitment is to bring the Power of Blue to work for you:- Online Services: www.bluecrossca.com continues to offer more information about all Blue Cross of California products and services. It now features interactive web pages so members may communicate electronically with Customer Service for ID card replacement or benefit issues, as well as receive online information about claim status, eligibility and family enrollment, or download claim forms and EOBs
- Access to the nation’s largest provider network when traveling or temporarily living outside California.
- Emergency care coverage anywhere in the world, 24-hours a day, seven-days a week.
- Enhanced member services that provide discounts to alternative health care practitioners, products and services.
- Toll-free number to Customer Service with option to speak to a Customer Service representative or More >