FOREIGN TRAVEL HEALTHCARE BASICS
If you receive medical treatment in a foreign country, you should first contact Anthem Blue Cross’s recently renamed “Global Care” for access to medical assistance services and healthcare providers around the world (On the backside of your Medical ID Card, the phone number is listed under the title “BlueCard Worldwide”; newer cards will have the updated name).
To view your Medical ID Card online, follow this link: wgaplans.org/MyIDCard
For in-patient care at a Global Care hospital that was arranged through BlueCard Global Care Service Center, you only pay the provider the usual out-of-pocket expenses (non-covered services, deductible, copayment and coinsurance) when cashless access is arranged. The provider files the claim for you. Otherwise, if you receive medical treatment in a foreign country, you must pay the provider fees at the time of service, and then submit a claim in English with invoices, any applicable medical records, and a statement with U.S. currency and currency exchange rate at the time of payment.
For outpatient facility and physician services or inpatient care not arranged through the Global Care Service Center, you will need to pay the healthcare provider directly and submit a Global Care International claim form with original bills and receipts to the Global Care Service Center.
International claim forms are available on our website here or at the Blue Cross website:
https://www.bcbsglobalcore.com/Assets/Documents/International-Claim-Form-US-fillable.pdf
IF YOU LIVE ABROAD AND REQUIRE MEDICAL CARE
If you live in a foreign country, your claims can be submitted directly to the Global Care Service Center for processing. They will handle the front-end processing of your claim by converting the foreign currency and providing any necessary billing translation. The claim will be electronically transmitted to the WGIHF for benefits determination.
If you live in the United Kingdom, the WGA coverage fits in nicely with the national health program. As the WGA, east states on their website: Our health benefits work much like private health insurance does in the U.K., by supplementing the national health system, and they are paid for by the WGA signatory employer (though writers still pay a modest sum to cover family members).
WHAT TO DO IN AN EMERGENCY
There are some situations where an emergency will lead to local treatment, subject to all the rules discussed above. But, what if you’re on Bora Bora, or some other tiny island with no major hospital. You reached for your colorful drink with the parasol and feel a shooting pain in your arm and tightness in your chest. The next thing you know, you’re looking up at a bunch of concerned, grass-skirt wearing faces and it’s clear your tropical getaway is going to end with open heart surgery. What to do? Fortunately, you’re covered. The Health Fund will cover some or all of the cost of an air ambulance to the nearest qualified medical facility, though there are some restrictions. To the extent there is time, you may want to check with the Health Fund or Blue Cross to determine what is and is not covered any how much your out-of-pocket costs – if any – will be.
The Health Fund will cover some or all of the cost of an air ambulance to the nearest qualified medical facility, though there are some restrictions. To the extent there is time, you may want to check with the Health Fund or Blue Cross to determine what is and is not covered any how much your out-of-pocket costs – if any – will be.
WHERE TO FIND FORMS AND HOW TO HANDLE OTHER NECESSARY PAPERWORK
For outpatient facility and physician services or inpatient care not arranged through the Global Care Service Center, you will need to pay the healthcare provider directly and submit a Global Care Worldwide International claim form with original bills and receipts to the Global Care Service Center.
If you live in a foreign country, your claims can be submitted directly to the Global Care Service Center for processing. They will handle the front-end processing of your claim by converting the foreign currency and providing any necessary billing translation. The claim will be electronically transmitted to the WGIHF for benefits determination.
International claim forms are available on our website here, or visit:
www.bcbsglobalcore.com.
It is recommended that you always retain copies of the claim(s) you are submitting. You can download the Global Care International Claim Form here.
Global Care Service Center:
1-800-810-2583 or collect: 1-804-673-1177
Each foreign claim filed with Global Care should include the following information:
- Participant’s Name
- Participants Health Fund ID Number (as it appears on the Health Fund ID Card)
- Provider’s Name
- Provider’s Address
- Patient’s Name
- Patient’s Date of Birth
- Procedure Code (if provided by doctor)
- Diagnosis Code (if provided by doctor)
- Amount Paid (if any)
Please mail all Foreign Claims to:
BlueCard Worldwide Service Center
P.O. Box 2048
Southeastern, PA 19399 USA
Or email claims to: [email protected]
If you are abroad and find yourself in need of medical care but are not sure how to best proceed, or you would like to confirm your alternatives, you can contact the Health Plan Participant Services at:
(818) 846-1015 / (800) 227-7863 (Press 1, then press 1)
Email: [email protected]
Fax: (818) 566-8445