Your medical benefits through the Board of Pensions include coverage through BCBS Global and/or International SOS for medically necessary services when traveling outside the United States.
When planning international travel, review the following information and call the Board of Pensions at 800-773-7752 (800-PRESPLAN) to discuss available coverage.
If you are enrolled in the PPO, EPO, or HDHP* and access your benefits through the national Blue Cross Blue Shield network, you and your covered family members may use BCBS Global for medical care and assistance during an international trip. The program includes access to
If you are enrolled in the EPO or HDHP, only services by network providers are covered.
Remember to
If you are looking for a doctor or hospital, or need inpatient care when you are outside the United States, visit the BCBS Global website, or call the BCBS Global Service Center collect, at 804-673-1177, 24 hours a day, seven days a week:
In addition to contacting BCBS Global, call the number on the back of your medical ID card for precertification.
For outpatient and doctor care, or inpatient care not arranged through BCBS Global, you may have to pay for services upfront, when you receive treatment (cash, travelers’ checks, and credit cards usually are accepted). If you pay for treatment, when you return, send your bills with a claim form (available on the BCBS Global website) to the address on the form for reimbursement under the Medical Plan.
If you are enrolled in the PPO, EPO, or HDHP*, you and your covered family members are eligible for assistance from International SOS (ISOS). Retired members with coverage under the Medicare Supplement Plan also are eligible.
Assistance from ISOS includes the following:
To access ISOS services, call the nearest assistance center (see below) and provide the membership number 11BCMA000136. No card is needed to access services, but this reference card contains all the relevant information. Or, go to the International SOS website to learn about the ISOS app, which provides medical and security information, by country.
Assistance center | Phone | Fax |
---|---|---|
Mexico, Central or South America | Call Philadelphia, PA, collect:
215-942-8226 | 215-354-2338 |
Canada | 800-441-4767 | |
Europe, CIS (former Soviet Republic), Africa, or the Middle East | Call London, England, collect:
44-20-8762-8008 | 44-20-8748-7744 |
Asia, Australia, or the Pacific Rim | Call Singapore collect: 65-6338-7800 | 65-6338-7611 |
*Those enrolled in Triple-S or GeoBlue should consult their plan for information about covered services while traveling internationally.