Check in on your health insurance for stress-free travel

1.

Check your benefits

Be familiar with your coverage — understanding your plan means less stress if you need medical care while you travel. What’s the name of your health plan network? How much does it cost to go to a doctor’s office? What about a walk-in clinic?

Log in to myWellmark^® — your personalized health insurance website — to get the details about your plan.

2.

Pack your ID card

Keep your most up-to-date ID card with you at all times. This little card has all the information you need to receive services or get a prescription filled. Download the myWellmark mobile app to easily access your Wellmark ID card while on-the-go.

3.

Find the right travel health insurance

As a Wellmark member, you're already covered when you travel locally and abroad

You have access to 96 percent of hospitals and 95 percent of physicians across the United States through the BlueCard^® Program.* This program connects providers to all Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans across the country, which means your health coverage travels with you.

Depending on the type of plan you have, you may only be covered in emergency situations. Visit bcbs.com or call BlueCard Access^® at 800-810-2583 before your trip.

Wellmark members traveling abroad have built-in coverage through the Blue Cross Blue Shield Global^® Core. Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Core is automatically included with your plan and provides you with coverage when traveling outside the U.S. Like BlueCard, though, you may only be covered if you have any emergency. Go to bcbsglobal.com for the details.

Get peace of mind with additional travel health insurance

If you’re traveling abroad for a short-term trip, an extended period of time or living or working overseas, Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Solutions^SM may be the best option for you. With Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Solutions, you’ll have access to an international network of doctors and hospitals available to you, with zero need to file for reimbursement.**

Depending on the plan you choose, you may even be covered for medical evacuation, which means you can be transported to other parts of a country or outside the country if you are seriously ill or injured.

You don’t need health coverage with Wellmark to purchase a Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Solutions plan. You can get a quote and purchase a plan online.

1.

Find out where you can get care at your destination

Where’s the closest walk-in clinic or in-network doctor’s office? Knowing this information right off the bat will ease the stress if you have to use services while on vacation.

2.

Get familiar with the tools available to you

myWellmark is your go-to health care resource while you're traveling. When you log in to myWellmark, you can search for in-network health care providers, facilities or pharmacies wherever you are. Plus you can compare costs and know how much you’ll have to pay up-front, so you won't be surprised later.

BlueCard Access

If you’re traveling outside the country, call BlueCard Access at 800-810-2583 to find a doctor or hospital in the area where you need care.

Doctor On Demand^® virtual visits

If you don’t want to leave the comfort of your hotel room, whether locally or abroad, you can get an expert opinion from a board-certified physician — virtually — through Doctor On Demand.

A virtual visit is a benefit covered by most Wellmark plans, but anyone can purchase a visit without using your insurance information. Members have access to virtual behavioral health and medical care in all 50 states and your virtual doctor can treat most common medical conditions and even prescribe medication, if needed. When traveling internationally, your virtual provider can provide medical advice but would not be able to prescribe medication.

If you have questions, call Customer Service at the phone number on your Wellmark ID card or download the Doctor On Demand mobile app.

1.

Look for your Explanation of Benefits (EOB)

If you had to use services while on vacation, you will receive an EOB with a simple recap of how your insurance paid for the care you received. At Wellmark, all claims must be filed within six months. But this policy may not apply to all providers — especially if you're getting care outside of Iowa and South Dakota. So, if your claim hasn’t been settled within a few months of receiving services, call Customer Service or your provider.

Get notified of your EOBs electronically to easily track and manage your health care claims and spending. Simply log in to myWellmark to access your account settings. You'll then be able to edit your preferences under Notifications.

2.

File a member-submitted claim, if needed

If you had to get care or prescription drugs from an out-of-network provider, you will need to submit a claim form yourself to be considered for reimbursement of covered services.