Three ways your health insurance travels with you
Travel requires planning. Whether you’re going on a short road trip or taking the vacation of a lifetime, there’s a list to keep track of: itineraries, travel documents and last-minute items to pack — to name a few.
Another thing you might want to add to that list? Health insurance coverage for when you're on the road.
If you're a member of a Blue Cross Blue Shield health plan, you already have basic coverage while traveling both out of state and outside of the United States. But, depending on your health plan network, your destination and the duration of your trip, you might want to consider additional coverage.
Here's what is included with your plan
1.
BlueCard®
Every Blue Cross Blue Shield plan participates in the BlueCard program that allows you to use your plan benefits to access care anywhere inside the U.S. Depending on the type of plan you have, you may only be covered in emergency situations. This is the case if you have an HMO network plan, for example.
Before you seek care while traveling, make sure you log in to myWellmark® to do a couple things:
- Check your benefits. It's important to know your health plan network and whether or not there are restrictions for out-of-state care.
- Find an in-network doctor. The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association currently contracts with more than 1.7 million doctors and hospitals across the country. But, it's important to use myWellmark to make sure a doctor near you accepts your specific health insurance benefits. By using myWellmark, you can even figure out how much your visit will cost you before you step inside the office.
myWellmark: your health care resource while traveling
If you're traveling out of state or outside of the U.S., myWellmark can help. See your plan information on out-of-state care and telehealth, find an in-network provider while traveling and get detailed breakdowns of claims made while on the go.
2.
Virtual visits through Doctor On Demand®
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Most Wellmark health plans include coverage for a virtual visit. These physicians can treat a number of minor issues, like a cold or the flu, plus headaches, skin conditions or bronchitis. Some Wellmark plans even cover Doctor On Demand visits for mental health. To find out if you have coverage for telehealth services through Doctor On Demand, log in to myWellmark.
3.
Blue Cross Blue Shield Global® Core
Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Core is an extension of the BlueCard program outside of the U.S. Whatever your benefits are here in the U.S., they are also available internationally, including your cost-share and deductible, for example. Like BlueCard, you may only be covered if you have an emergency.
It's important to note that while Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Core does provide built-in coverage when you're traveling internationally, it does not provide full protection. For example:
- It does not cover potentially important international needs like medical evacuation, which allows for you to be transported to other parts of a country or outside the country if you're seriously ill or injured — or return of a body.
- Your plan would need to confirm eligibility and benefits before you seek care. Depending on where you're traveling and possible time differences, this could be difficult to complete during normal business hours.
- Usually, you will have to pay for care up-front and then submit a claim for reimbursement.
Additional travel health insurance to consider
Depending on your trip, you may want to consider travel health insurance options available through Blue Cross Blue Shield Global SolutionsSM.
With Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Solutions, you'll have an international network of doctors and hospitals available to you, with zero need to file for reimbursement. Depending on the plan you choose, you could even be covered for medical evacuation.
You don't need health coverage with Wellmark to purchase a Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Solutions plan. Visit Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Solutions to get a quote and purchase a plan.
If you’re already travelling and need to talk to a doctor, therapist or psychiatrist, download the myWellmark app to find care near you or try a Doctor on Demand virtual visit.
Disclosures
Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Solutions is the trade name of Worldwide Insurance Services, LLC (Worldwide Services Insurance Agency, LLC in California and New York), an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Solutions is a Brand owned by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
For plans that include benefits for mental health treatment, Doctor On Demand benefits may include treatment for certain psychological conditions, emotional issues and chemical dependency. Services performed by Doctor On Demand psychologists are covered. For more information, call Wellmark at the number on your ID card.
Doctor On Demand by Included Health is a separate company providing an online telehealth solution for Wellmark members. Doctor On Demand® is a registered mark of Doctor On Demand, Inc.