Navigating your health insurance while traveling

Written by: Blue Cross of Idaho

As a Blue Cross of Idaho member, your benefits travel with you wherever you go – across the country and around the world. Read on to learn how to access your health insurance while traveling in or outside of the USA.

Does my health insurance cover me while traveling?

Yes. Your Blue Cross of Idaho health insurance gives you a world of choices. Within the United States, you’re covered wherever you need care. Outside the United States, you have access to doctors and hospitals around the world through the Blue Cross Blue Shield Global® Core program.

In most cases, when you travel or live outside of Idaho, you can get care at in-network rates based on what the Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) insurer in that state has negotiated with its doctors and hospitals. For covered services, you should not have to pay any amount above these in-network rates or any applicable out-of-pocket expenses.

To find doctors and hospitals wherever you or a covered dependent need care, have your member ID card handy.

Search in these ways:

• Visit the National Doctor and Hospital Finder at bcbs.com and select Find a Doctor in the upper-right corner.
• Use the National Doctor and Hospital Finder app and the Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Core app. You can find them on the App Store or Google Play. (Rates from your wireless provider may apply.)
• Call BlueCard Access^® at 1-800-810-2583.

Getting care while traveling in the U.S.

Before getting care, here are some things to remember to access your health insurance when traveling outside of Idaho:

• Always carry your current Blue Cross of Idaho member ID card.
• If you’re a PPO plan member, always use a BlueCard PPO doctor or hospital to make sure you get the most out of your benefits.
• Call the Blue Cross of Idaho Customer Service Department for precertification or prior authorization, if necessary, at the phone number on the back of your member ID card.
• When you arrive at the doctor’s office or hospital, show your ID card. The provider will look at the bottom-right corner of your member ID card for a suitcase icon that is either blank or has “PPO” in it. This will help the provider know what benefits you have.

After you get care, you should:

• Not have to complete any claim forms.
• Not have to pay for medical services up front, except for the out-of-pocket expenses (noncovered services, deductible, copayment and coinsurance) you normally pay.
• Get an explanation of benefits (EOB) from Blue Cross of Idaho.

Getting care outside the U.S.

If you’re traveling abroad, here are a few things to keep in mind to access your health insurance:

• Always carry your current Blue Cross of Idaho member ID card.
• Before you travel, contact Blue Cross of Idaho for coverage details. Coverage outside the U.S. may be different.
• If you need medical help, call the Service Center for Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Core at 1-800-810-2583 or call collect at 1-804-673-1177, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. An assistance coordinator, in working with a medical professional, will set up an appointment with a doctor or hospital for you, if necessary.

Inpatient health insurance claim: Call the BCBS Service Center if you need inpatient care. In most cases, you should not need to pay for inpatient care up front, except for the out-of-pocket expenses (noncovered services, deductible, copayment and coinsurance) you normally pay. The hospital should submit the claim on your behalf.

In addition to contacting the Service Center, call Blue Cross of Idaho for any precertification or prior authorization needed. Call the phone number on the back of your member ID card. Note: This number is different from the BCBS Service Center phone numbers listed above.

Professional health insurance claim: You may need to pay up front for care received from a doctor and/or hospital. Complete a Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Core International claim form and send it with the bill(s) to the Service Center (the address is on the form). You can also submit your claim online or through the Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Core mobile app.

You can find the Blue Cross of Idaho Member Claim Form on our member website. You can also find a claim form online at the Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Core website.

Get more tips

Follow our Blue Bulletin blog for more helpful information on how you can use your insurance benefits and your plan, as well as health and wellbeing tips.

 

Posted: March 22, 2023