The active wildfires in Southern California have destroyed thousands of homes, other structures and medical practices, as well as displaced thousands of residents and your physician colleagues. In response, the California Medical Association (CMA) and Physicians for a Healthy California (PHC) have launched this page to support impacted physicians and their practices.

• Donate to California physicians: phcdocs.org/relief
• CMA is also working with regulators, health plans and insurers to consider various actions to ease the burden on physicians as they continue their work caring for patients. Read this article for more information.
• Physicians who are having trouble getting care for patients affected by the wildfires can contact the CMA Center for Economic Services for assistance at (800) 786-4262 or economicservices@cmadocs.org.

CMA and the Los Angeles County Medical Association have worked to collect the following information that may be relevant to physicians impacted by the Southern California fires.

Guide for Impacted Patients and Physicians

Under state law, health plans and insurers are required to act quickly to ensure patients in areas affected by wildfires and other disasters have continued access to care. CMA has developed a guide to help patients and physicians obtain information about how patients can access care, refill prescriptions, replace medical supplies or ID cards, prior authorization/referrals and more.

Download now

Support for Affected Businesses

• Taxpayers and businesses impacted by the Los Angeles wildfires will be granted a postponement to file their tax returns. A list of all tax programs included in this extension can be found here.
• The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is expected to have disaster loans available to homeowners, renters, and businesses of all sizes in areas covered by a disaster declaration. You can find more information here:
  • California January Wind and Fires Incident
  • General Information on Disaster Programs
• Get support from the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation and find information on What To Do After a Disaster
• Businesses impacted by the Los Angeles wildfires will be granted a postponement to file their tax returns. A list of all tax programs included in this extension can be found here.

The Los Angeles Economic and Workforce Development Department has assembled resources for business and workers impacted by the fire.

• For Workers:
  • WorkSource Centers provide free employment services for dislocated workers
  • If you have lost a job, apply for unemployment benefits here.
  • Additional job loss and layoff assistance for workers.
• For Businesses:
  • BusinessSource Centers provide free business consultation services as well as loan and grant assistance
  • Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation provides resources to assist businesses survive and recover after natural disasters
  • Strategies to avert layoffs for businesses can be found here.
  • State of California Resources for Businesses impacted by fire including grant and loan information

Assistance for Property Owners

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA):

• Individual assistance is available through FEMA. Three ways to register for FEMA Assistance and video tutorial:
  1. Online at DisasterAssistance.gov. Applying online is the easiest, fastest, and most convenient way to apply.
  2. On the FEMA App for mobile devices.
  3. Call the FEMA helpline at (800) 621-3362: 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. (PST). Help is available in most languages.

LA County Property Damage Claims:

• For assistance seeking help for property damage claims, contact the LA County Tax Assessor at Assessor - Disaster Relief or at (213) 974-3211.

Tips:

• Document damage with photos or videos.
• Keep all receipts for expenses related to evacuation or temporary housing.
• Check out the Top 10 Tips for Wildfire Claimants.
• For personalized assistance, contact the California Department of Insurance Hotline at (800) 927-4357. The Department has free two-day insurance support workshops on January 18 and 19 in Santa Monica and January 25 and 26 in Pasadena to help survivors understand their insurance policies and the claims process, while also providing information about available resources for rebuilding and recovery.
• Find out if your home has been damaged with Damage Inspection Dashboard
• Insurance claims can be found at the Resources to Help Recent Wildfire Victims.
• Taxpayers and businesses impacted by the Los Angeles wildfires will be granted a postponement to file California and federal tax returns. A list of all tax programs included in this extension can be found here.
• Tax relief could be available if your property is damaged or destroyed by a fire. File an Application for Reassessment: Property Damaged or Destroyed by Misfortune or Calamity with the Assessor’s Office within 12 months.
• Access shelter and housing services
• Take care of your health, safety, and emotional well-being
• Avoid After-Disaster Scams
• If you see price gouging or if you've been the victim of it, file a report with the California Department of Justice at: ca.gov/report

Resources for Familes and Kids

• School Closure updates from LAUSD
• Resources from AACAP:
  • AACAP’s Disaster Resource Center (resources that can be used with families)
  • AACAP’s Disaster Liaison Network Resource Library (more for clinicians)
  • Helping Youth after Community Trauma: Tips for Educators
  • NCTSN: Secondary Traumatic Stress: A Fact Sheet for Child-Serving Professionals
  • SAMHSA Tips for Survivors of a Disaster or Traumatic Event: What to Expect in your Personal, Family, Work, and Financial Life

Insurance Benefit Program Resources

The information below may be relevant for CMA members taking advantage of CMA’s Insurance Program and comes directly from the insurance carriers.

The Doctors Company

• Policy cancellation deferment for nonpayment extended by 90 days for members in wildfire-affected zip codes.
• Grace Period: January 7 to April 7, 2025
• Additional ZIP codes may be included as damage assessments continue.
• Press Release

Mercury Insurance

• Dedicated claims hotline: (800) 503-3724
• Claims Reporting

Preferred Employers Insurance

• Free six-minute wildfire safety video available in the Video Training section of the online customer portal.
• Wildfire Resources