BlueCard®


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BlueCard is a national program that enables members of one Blue company to obtain healthcare services while traveling or living in another Blue company's service area. The program links participating healthcare providers with the independent Blue companies across the country and in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide, through a single electronic network for claims processing and reimbursement.

Within the United States

 

1. Always carry your current Blue Plan ID card.

 

2. In an emergency, go directly to the nearest hospital.

 

3. To find nearby doctors and hospitals, call BlueCard Access at 1.800.810.BLUE (2583) or visit the BlueCard Doctor and Hospital Finder.

 

4. Call your Blue Plan for pre-certification or prior authorization, if necessary. The phone number is located on your Blue Plan ID card. Note: This phone number is different from the BlueCard Access number mentioned above.

 

5. When you arrive at the participating doctor's office or hospital, show the provider your ID card. The provider will identify your benefits through one of these symbols:

 

Traditional/ Indemnity Benefits      

 

 

PPO Benefits

 

After you receive care, you should:

  • Not have to complete any claim forms.
  • Not have to pay upfront for medical services, except for the usual out-of-pocket expenses (non-covered services, deductible, co-payment and coinsurance).
  • Receive an explanation of benefits from your Blue Plan.

Around the world

 

1. Verify your international benefits with your Blue Plan before leaving the United States. Coverage may be different outside the country.

 

2. Always carry your current Blue Plan ID card.

 

3. In an emergency, go directly to the nearest hospital.

 

4. If you need to locate a doctor or hospital, or need medical assistance services, call the BlueCard Worldwide 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, in conjunction with a medical professional, will arrange a physician appointment or hospitalization, if necessary.

 

5. 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 upfront for inpatient care at participating BlueCard Worldwide hospitals except for the out-of-pocket expenses (non-covered services, deductible, co-payment and co-insurance) you normally pay. The hospital should submit your claim on your behalf. In addition to contacting the BlueCard Worldwide Service Center, call your Blue Plan for pre-certification or pre-authorization. You can find the phone number on your Blue Plan ID card. Note: this number is different from the phone number listed above.

 

6. You will need to pay upfront for care received from a doctor and/or non-participating hospital. Then complete a BlueCard Worldwide claim form and send it with the bill(s) to the BlueCard Worldwide Service Center (the address is on the form). The claim form is available from your Blue Plan, the BlueCard Worldwide Service Center, or online at BlueCard Worldwide.

 

Away from Home Care® 

As a Blue Plan HMO member, you can enjoy peace of mind by having access to healthcare benefits across the country. Away From Home Care provides convenient healthcare coverage while you are away from your Home HMO and temporarily residing in a participating HMO's service area. Away From Home Care is available in many states and the District of Columbia.

Guest Membership

Guest Membership is designed to address your healthcare needs if you have one of the following situations:

  • Students— attending school out of state
  • Families Apart—family members residing in different
  • HMO service areas
  • Long-Term Traveler—long-term work assignment in another state, or retirees with a dual residence

The Away From Home Care Program ensures that you have ongoing access to the care you need while residing away from home. Here is how the program works:

  • Contact your Home HMO if you or a covered dependent are going to be away from home for at least 90 consecutive days.
  • Your Home HMO will advise you if a participating HMO is in the area where you will be staying.
  • Your Home HMO will work with you to complete a Guest Membership application, if there is a participating HMO in the area where you will be staying. Your Home HMO will mail you the application for signature. Once it is signed, the Home HMO will forward it to the participating Host HMO in your destination location.
  • Your Host HMO will provide you with a membership ID card, a primary care physician, and instructions on how to access your benefits while using your Guest Membership.
  • Call your Host HMO primary care physician for an appointment when you need medical care.