Accessing Your Health Benefits While Traveling

Many Vermonters will be taking to the skies and roads this summer for vacations, and to make trips they’ve delayed during the last two years. If you are traveling, here are some tips for getting the most from your health plan while you are out of state.

• Understand your network’s benefits. Plans vary in their levels of out-of-state benefits. Some use a preferred provider organization (PPO) network, while others have a traditional network. Some don’t offer out-of-state coverage at all. If your member ID card has a suitcase icon in the lower right corner, it means your benefits will travel so you can access network providers in other parts of the country. If there is no suitcase icon, your plan doesn’t provide benefits outside our service area.
• Find a provider in your network. If you need to find a doctor or hospital while traveling in the U.S., you can easily locate one in your network by using our National Doctor and Hospital Finder. When you enter the location you’re visiting, and the first three letters at the beginning of your member ID number, the finder will automatically show you providers in that location who are within your network. There is also an option to show immediate care facilities near you.
• Log into the Member Resource Center. It’s always a good idea to carry your member ID card with you when you travel. But if you forgot to bring your card, you can get your member ID number by logging into the Member Resource Center. You can also view your benefits, claims, and authorizations.

If you are traveling internationally, the process for accessing health care services through Blue Cross is different than for domestic travel. The Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Core website has all the information you need to find providers in other countries and to file international claims. If you have questions about COVID-19 precautions while traveling, check out our COVID-19 page.

We hope you enjoy your journeys this summer and that you’ll stay well while away from home. If you have any questions before you go, or if you need assistance while traveling, our friendly customer service representatives are here to help. You can send us a secure message by logging into the Member Resource Center, or call us at the number on the back of your member ID card.