How to get care while you're traveling

When you’re a Blues member, you can take your health care benefits with you no matter where you travel, across the country or around the world. 

Depending on your plan, you may be covered for routine care and urgent care. You’re always covered for emergency care. 

I'm traveling in Michigan. What do I need to know about getting health care?
I'm traveling outside of Michigan. What do I need to know about getting health care?
Am I covered when traveling outside of the United States?
Are prescription drugs covered when I travel?
How do I submit a claim if I'm outside the U.S.?
Who do I contact for more information?
For Blue Care Network members

I'm traveling in Michigan. What do I need to know about getting health care?

If you're away from home in the state and you have an HMO plan (Blue Care Network):

• If Blue Care Network is offered where you are, call your primary care physician (PCP) just as you would at home. They'll coordinate all routine care, urgent care or follow-up care that doesn't require you to go to an emergency room. 
• If Blue Care Network isn't offered, you’re covered for emergency care only. To see if a doctor or urgent care center participates with Blue Care Network, use Find a Doctor.

If you have a PPO plan (Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan):

• You can choose any doctor no matter where you are. However, if you’re out of our network, you could pay higher out-of-pocket costs, and not all services may be covered. 
• To find a network doctor that participates in your plan, use Find a Doctor.

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I'm traveling outside of Michigan. What do I need to know about getting health care?

If you have an HMO plan,

• You’re covered for emergency care within the United States.
• If you plan on temporarily living outside of Michigan, you may be able to get coverage for an extended stay.
• Before you travel, call Customer Service at 800-662-6667 for details about your health insurance benefits. Your options may vary depending on the type of coverage you have.

If you have a PPO plan:

• You have the option of seeing any doctor no matter where you are. However, if you’re out of our network, you could pay higher out-of-pocket costs, and not all services may be covered.
• You can find doctors outside of Michigan who will accept your coverage by using the Blue National Doctor & Hospital Finder℠, or call 1-800-810-BLUE (2583).

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Am I covered when traveling outside of the United States?

No matter what plan you have, you’re always covered for emergency care. You may be asked to pay at the time you receive care, but we’ll reimburse you later once you arrive safely back home. You can find the forms you need in our Claims section.

Contact BlueCard Worldwide® to find a doctor outside of the U.S.

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Are prescription drugs covered when I travel?

If you have an HMO plan with a prescription drug rider:

• You can have your prescriptions filled at any pharmacy in our network, or
• You can mail order your prescriptions through Express Scripts®.

If you have a PPO plan, 

• Your prescription drug coverage varies based on whether you’re in the network or not. If you use a pharmacy in our network or one that’s in the MedImpact network outside of Michigan, your prescription drug claims will be paid according to your plan benefits.

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How do I submit a claim if I'm outside the U.S.?

If you receive care while you’re traveling outside of the United States, you’ll pay the health care professional at the time of service and fill out an international claims form to be reimbursed by us once you arrive safely back home. The form and more detailed instructions can be found at the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association website.

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Who do I contact for more information?

For HMO plan members, contact Blue Care Network Customer Service at 1-800-662-6667 or call the number on the back of your insurance card.

For PPO plan members, you can find a list of doctors nationwide by using the Blue National Doctor & Hospital Finder℠, or call 1-800-810-BLUE (2583).

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For Blue Care Network members

To help you better prepare for your next trip, we've outlined for you the types of care your HMO health care plan may offer:

• Emergency care
• Urgent care
• Follow-up care
• Extended stays

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