On January 7, 2025, California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a State of Emergency in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties due to wildfires. The fires destroyed homes and businesses and temporarily disrupted some health care organizations that provide services for our members and other patients. 

During the wildfires, Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan proactively contacted network IPAs and facilities in the ZIP code areas affected by the wildfires, tracked operational status reports, and released temporary guidelines to help healthcare providers manage prior authorizations, medical necessity reviews, patient transfers, durable medical equipment (DME) coordination, and more for clinics and facilities affected by the wildfires. We issued temporary “relaxed” guidelines at that time to affected provider organizations for dates of service from January 6, 2025 through February 15, 2025.

On March 19, 2025, as allowed under Health and Safety Code section 1368.7, the Department of Managed Healthcare (DMHC) released All Plan Letter 25-005, which directed health plans to continue assisting provider organizations that may still be recovering from disruptions caused by the wildfires. 

If your practice or facility was within one of the ZIP code areas severely affected by the wildfires, we encourage you to contact us with any questions you may have about services or supplies provided to Blue Shield Promise members during or after the wildfires, or the extended timelines for authorizations, claim submissions and/or disputes.

Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan Provider Services:
Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

  Phone: (800) 468-9935

In addition, regarding current care, a fax line to the Utilization Management team is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week to receive questions regarding inpatient admissions or other care for Blue Shield Promise members:

  Los Angeles County: (323) 889-6579

  San Diego County: (619) 219-3301

For hospital admissions, providers may call (800) 468-9935 24 hours a day, seven days a week.