BOSTON, Oct. 10, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- As Hurricane Michael makes landfall, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts ("BCBSMA") is expediting access to care for members who live in affected areas of Florida.

Through our national Blue Card plan, we provide health care coverage for Massachusetts-based companies whose employees live in other states. We have approximately 11,300 BCBSMA members in affected Florida counties. As the storm hits, we are working to ensure that members can access health services and medications quickly and in locations convenient to them. For our members living in affected areas, effective immediately, we are allowing early refills of prescription medications. In addition, we will waive referral, authorization and pre-certification requirements for medical and pharmacy services in areas that have been declared federal disaster zones.

"We're doing everything we can to ensure continuity of care for all our members who may affected by this catastrophic storm," said Andrew Dreyfus, president & CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. "Our member service team is available to assist with any issues that arise, as we want to make sure members can get the care they need, when they need it."

About Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (bluecrossma.com) is a community-focused, tax-paying, not–for–profit health plan headquartered in Boston. We're the trusted health plan for more than 25,000 Massachusetts employers and are committed to working with others in a spirit of shared responsibility to make quality health care affordable. Consistent with our corporate promise to always put our 2.8 million members first, we're rated among the nation's best health plans for member satisfaction and quality. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

SOURCE Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts