How can I get more information about my international benefits while I’m overseas?
For medical benefits, contact BlueCard® Worldwide Program
- Toll-free: 1-800-810-BLUE with AT&T access number
- Collect call: 1-804-673-1177
For prescription drug benefits, contact Medco Health Solutions
- Toll-free: 1-800-555-3432
- International claims:
- Toll-free: 1-800-497-4641 with AT&T access number
- Collect call: 614-421-8292
What should I do when I need medical care overseas?
Call BlueCard® Worldwide at 1-800-810-BLUE (2583) before receiving any inpatient or outpatient care while overseas. If it’s an emergency, go to the nearest hospital and then contact BlueCard® Worldwide.
For inpatient care (i.e., hospitalization):
- BlueCard® Worldwide will help you find participating facilities, walk you through admission and facilitate hospitalization. Contacting BlueCard® Worldwide before you access inpatient care is important – it can help you use your benefits at the point of service rather than having to pay completely out-of-pocket and file a claim at a later date. You’ll still be responsible for your usual out-of-pocket expenses (e.g., deductible, coinsurance).
- For inpatient care not arranged through BlueCard® Worldwide or obtained from a non-BlueCard® Worldwide hospital, you may have to pay the hospital and submit a claim.
For outpatient care:
- Contact BlueCard® Worldwide to help locate participating providers and access care. Note that for outpatient care, you’ll need to pay the provider and then submit a claim for reimbursement.
Emergency contact:
What’s an “AT&T access number?”
An AT&T USADirect® access number connects you to the AT&T network in the United States from more than 150 countries. These country-specific access numbers allow you to bill international calls to an AT&T calling card, AT&T corporate calling card, AT&T Prepaid Phone Card, many local phone company cards, and most major credit cards. No more worrying about variations in specific countries’ phone systems – all you need to connect is a dial tone.
To search for an AT&T access number and for more information including rates and available countries, visit the AT&T USADirect website.
I need to file a claim. What do I need to do?
This depends on what kind of claim it is.
- For services received domestically from in-network providers, you do not need to do anything. The provider files the claim on your behalf.
- For services received domestically from out-of-network providers, you are responsible for submitting the claim. Use the out-of-network claims form and follow the instructions on the form.
- For services received overseas, you are responsible for submitting the claim. Use the BlueCard International Claim Form and follow the instructions on the form.
How do I file an international medical claim?
To submit a claim, complete an International Claim Form and send it to BlueCard® Worldwide.
How does the Medical Evacuation Policy work?
The Medical Evacuation Policy helps ensure that in the event of your hospitalization, your current facility can meet your treatment needs.
If you are hospitalized, you must make sure that BlueCard® Worldwide is notified either prior to admission or within 48 hours of admission. The hospital will not do this for you. This will ensure you have a BlueCard® Worldwide medical assistance partner assigned to your case immediately.
You will need to provide the following information:
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Identify yourself as a GuideStone participant.
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Group number. This appears on your medical ID card.
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Member ID number. You can also find this on your medical ID card.
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Your date of birth.
To grant authority for someone to make medical decisions or request healthcare services on your or your dependents’ behalf, you may be asked to provide a document of consent for medical treatment.
Once notified, BlueCard® Worldwide will then review your condition and treatment plan with your physician. Together, they evaluate your current facility’s capabilities.
If you are hospitalized in a facility that does not have the proper resources, BlueCard® Worldwide coordinates your transportation to the nearest appropriate facility — which is usually not in the United States.
When is Medical Evacuation used?
This service is provided to you and your covered dependents when outside of the United States. When a member is already receiving care, the BlueCard® Worldwide medical assistance partner will determine whether the current facility has the resources to provide the appropriate level of care. This benefit may be utilized when in the professional opinion of the medical assistance partner, a clear and significant risk of death or imminent serious injury or harm to you or your eligible dependents exists. In instances where the medical assistance partner determines that medical evacuation is appropriate, the medical assistance partner will contact the member’s Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plan and recommend that the member be moved to the nearest facility (identified by the medical assistance partner) that can provide the level of care necessary. The medical assistance partner will arrange for transportation to the recommended facility. Travel expenses will only be covered if determined medically necessary and coordinated by the medical assistance partner.
How do my prescription benefits work?
As of January 1, 2012, your medical plan no longer has a separate prescription drug deductible. That means that you and your medical plan will share the cost of prescriptions immediately. You will pay 20% of the drug costs up to a maximum amount per prescription. Please be sure to provide your pharmacist with your ID card before filling a prescription.
If you need to request an advance supply prior to traveling overseas, please see “Can I get an advance supply of my prescriptions?”
Can I get an advance supply of my prescriptions?
Yes. You can fill an advance 12-month supply through Medco Health Solutions prior to departure, or shipped at any time to a stateside address (please allow two weeks for processing and shipping).
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To fill an existing prescription at retail:
Call 1-800-316-9182 and request either Pat Dyer at extension 2335 (her hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central time) or Eric Wyatt at extension 2167 (his hours are 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Central time). Please have the name and strength of medication handy. You will be charged 12 monthly copays (at the appropriate level, depending on formulary tier). Medco requires verification from your physician before sending the prescription.
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To fill a new prescription or use mail order:
Ask your doctor to write the prescription for a 365-day supply. Then call 1-800-316-9182 and request either Pat Dyer at extension 2335 (her hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central time) or Eric Wyatt at extension 2167 (his hours are 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Central time). They will make sure your 365-day-supply exception is noted in the Medco system. Because the copays are likely to exceed $100, please be ready to give them a credit card number to pay applicable copays. You will then need to mail the prescription to Medco by mail via normal channels.
What information do I need to include when filing an international claim?
When filing an international claim, you need to use the BlueCard International Claim Form. To help ensure the claim is paid appropriately, you must provide documentation with the claim form. This should be the provider’s original itemized bill, which must include:
- The letterhead indicating the name and address of the person or organization providing the service
- The full name of the patient
- The date of each service
- A description of each service
- The charge for each service
What should I do if I need to file an international prescription drug claim?
Simply complete the Medco prescription claim form and mail it to the address written on the form. To ensure completion of the claim, tape receipts and important claim information to the form.
- Date prescription filled
- Name and address of pharmacy
- Doctor name or ID number
- NDC number (drug number)
- Name of drug and strength
- Quantity and days’ supply
- Prescription number (Rx number)
- DAW (Dispense as Written)
- Amount paid
If you have any questions, contact Medco directly at 1-800-497-4641 with an AT&T USADirect® access number or call collect at 1-804-673-1177.
How do I see my prescription information on Medco’s website?
To review your prescription history, simply:
- Log in with your email address and password at Medco's website.
- To view information on your prescription or your prescription history, click on “Prescription history” on the left side menu bar.
Note: To verify your identity, you may be asked to enter the Rx number from a recently filled retail or mail-order prescription. This should be located on your prescription. If you do not have your Rx number, please contact Medco at 1-800-555-3432.
To find information on a specific prescription, enter the prescription number (Rx number) in the box at the top of the “Prescription history” page and click “go.”
What if I don’t speak the local language?
Your plan covers an interpreter who can translate between a physician, patient or family member. Call BlueCard® Worldwide to request and arrange an interpreter. Note: The interpreter can also translate claims documents and medical reports as necessary.
Can I get pre-trip support and advice before I travel?
Yes. You can request a Pre-trip Advice packet by calling BlueCard® Worldwide Service Center at 1-800-810-BLUE (2583) or collect at 1-804-673-1177. The packet includes the following:
- Basic information about the city and country
- Direct contact information for approved hospitals and physicians
- Immunizations required
- Weather reports