Accessing Care

When in the United States, you should access Blue Cross Blue Shield BlueCard PPO providers for all of your medical care. If you do not, you’ll have to file your claims, and your out-of-pocket costs will be much higher, as non-network benefits require annual deductibles and coinsurance amounts. When you need to seek medical care overseas, network benefits will be payable. You should first contact BlueCard Access at 1-800-810-BLUE or call collect at 1-804-673-1177 to make the necessary arrangements for doctor visits or hospitalization.

Anytime you visit a BlueCard Worldwide PPO hospital, you will not have to pay the full bill in advance, and the hospital should file your claim with Blue Cross Blue Shield. Since doctors and other health care providers are not part of the Worldwide program, you will need to pay these bills and send in your claim form to request reimbursement from Blue Cross Blue Shield.

To find providers who participate in the BlueCard PPO networks, go to the Web site www.bcbs.com/healthtravel/finder.html. Providers in the United States and all hospitals participating in the Worldwide network can be found using the Web site. You can also call BlueCard Access, a PPO provider finder hotline, toll-free at 1-800-810-BLUE, or collect at 1-804-673-1177. The hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.