BlueCard® Worldwide - When Traveling Outside of the U.S.

BlueCard Worldwide® provides Blue Cross and Blue Shield members with access to a network of traditional inpatient, outpatient and professional healthcare providers around the world.  The program includes a range of medical assistance and claim support services for members traveling or living in countries outside their Home Plan service area.

When You Need Healthcare Outside The U.S.

  1. Always carry your Blue Cross and Blue Shield identification card.
  2. Check with your Blue Cross and Blue Shield company before leaving the U.S. because your health care benefits may be different outside the U.S.
  3. If you need emergency medical care, go to the nearest hospital. Call the BlueCard Worldwide Service Center at 1.800.810.BLUE (2583) or call collect at 1.804.673.1177 if you're admitted.
  4. If you need non-emergency inpatient medical care, you must call the BlueCard Worldwide Service Center. The Service Center will facilitate hospitalization at a BlueCard Worldwide hospital or make an appointment with a doctor. It is important that you call the BlueCard Worldwide Service Center in order to obtain cash-less access for inpatient care except for your usual out-of-pocket expenses (e.g., deductible, coinsurance). The Service Center is staffed with multilingual representatives and is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
  5. Call your local BCBS company for pre-certification or prior authorization, if necessary. Refer to the phone number on the back of your card.
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