BlueCard Program

When You Need Healthcare Outside the U.S., Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands

  • Always carry your Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana or HMO Louisiana ID card.

  • Contact Blue Cross before leaving because your healthcare benefits may be different outside the U.S., Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands.

  • In an emergency, go directly to the nearest hospital or doctor. Call the Blue Cross Blue Shield Global® Core Service Center if you have to stay in a hospital.

  • If you need to find a doctor or hospital, or need medical assistance services, call the Blue Cross Blue Shield Global® Core Service Center at 1.800-810.BLUE (2583) or call collect at 1-804-673-1177, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. An assistance coordinator, who will work with a medical professional, will make plans for a doctor’s appointment or hospital stay, if necessary.

  • Call the BlueCard Worldwide Service Center at 1-800.810-2583 or collect at 1-804-673-1177 when you need inpatient care. In most cases, you should not need to pay before you get inpatient care at BlueCard Worldwide hospitals except for the out-of-pocket expenses (deductible, copayment, co-insurance and services not covered) you normally pay. When care without advance payment is arranged, the hospital will submit your claim on your behalf.

  • Call Blue Cross for precertification or prior authorization, if necessary. Refer to the phone number on the back of your ID card.

Claims Filing and Payment Information

  • For inpatient care at a Blue Cross Blue Shield Global® Core hospital that was set up through the Blue Cross Blue Shield Global® Core Service Center, you should only pay the doctor or hospital the usual out-of-pocket expenses (deductible, copayment, coinsurance and services not covered) when care without advance payment is set up. The provider files the claim for you.

  • For all outpatient and professional medical care, you pay the provider and submit a claim. You may also have to pay the hospital (and submit a claim) for inpatient care you get from a non-BlueCard Worldwide hospital or when inpatient care was not set up through the BlueCard Blue Shield Global® Core Service Center.

  • To submit a claim, complete an International Claim Form and send it to the Blue Cross Blue Shield Global® Core Service Center. The claim form must be completed and sent in with itemized bills; otherwise, your claim will be returned to you and payment will be delayed.       
Neither the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association nor any of its independent Licensees shall be liable for any losses, damages, or uncovered charges as a result of using the BlueCard Blue Shield Global® Core Service Center or receiving care from any provider listed on the BlueCard Blue Shield Global® Core website.

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