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Indiana University
STUDENT TRAVEL COVERAGE

The coverage described on this page automatically applies to students, fellowship recipients, and student academic appointees enrolled in IU student health insurance. Eligible Populations not enrolled in IU student health insurance may purchase coverage on a voluntary basis by completing the enrollment form.

Before traveling, it’s important to learn about the travel services available to you and how your health insurance works if you experience medical needs or emergencies while away from home.

As an Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield member, you have access to care across the country through the BlueCard PPO Program. This includes access to 93% of doctors and 96% of hospitals in the U.S. If you’re outside the U.S., you can use the Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Core Program. It gives you access to preferred doctors and hospitals in nearly 190 countries and territories around the world.

Emergency Travel Assistance Healthcare While Traveling Frequently Asked Questions

Emergency Travel Assistance

Your health plan includes emergency travel assistance coverage under Academic Emergency Services (AES). With AES you have 24/7 access to support if you experience an emergency while you are traveling more than 100 miles from home or outside your country. Please note that this is not travel insurance and it is not health insurance.

Services through AES include emergency medical evacuation and repatriation, pre-travel and safety assistance, and an accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D) benefit. Review the AES Summary & Wallet Card for additional program benefits and details.

To prepare for your trip, visit the AES website at aes.myahpcare.com. To access services 24/7 call 855-873-3555 (within the U.S.) or +1-610-263-4660 (outside the U.S.). Reference Group ID: GHS9999AHPCO.

Benefits and services available through AES include:

  • Emergency medical evacuation, repatriation, and emergency family assistance services.
  • $25,000 accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D) benefit.
  • Medical, travel, safety, and legal assistance.
  • Pre-travel information portal.
  • Physician referrals outside of the U.S.
  • Medical monitoring during an emergency evacuation to ensure adequate care.
  • Prescription assistance.
  • Locating lost or stolen items (i.e. passport, luggage).
  • Emergency travel arrangements.
  • Security/Political evacuation coverage.
  • Natural disaster evacuation coverage.

Review the AES Summary & Wallet Card for a full list of services.

If you need medical or travel assistance, regardless of the nature or severity of your situation, please contact AES 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, using one of the methods below.

  • Call toll-free: 1-855-873-3555 (within the U.S.)
  • Call collect: 1-610- 263-4660 (outside the U.S.)
  • Email: assistance@ahpcare.com
  • Group ID: GHS9999AHPCO
  • Membership type: Global Medical and Travel Assistance Services

Download the AES Summary & Wallet Card to keep this information on-hand while traveling.

Healthcare While Traveling

The information below is for students and family members enrolled on an IU student health insurance plan. Review each section to learn steps to take before traveling, how to access emergency or non-emergency care while traveling, and how to pay for those services. Be sure to always have an up-to-date copy of your health plan ID card(s) with you while traveling.

Outside the U.S.

IU student health plan members have access to the Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) Global Core® network of physicians and hospitals overseas, and out-of-network benefits.

Before Traveling

Download the BCBS Global Core mobile app. You can use the app to search for providers, translate medical terms and phrases, file international claims, and more.

Non-Emergency Care

When you’re traveling abroad and need non-emergency medical care, call the BCBS Global Core Service Center 24/7 at +1-804-673-1177 before getting care. They can help you set up a doctor’s visit or hospital stay.

Emergency Care

  • If you need emergency medical care, call the local equivalent of ‘911’ or go to the nearest hospital.
  • If you are unsure if it is safe to do so, or if the nearest hospital cannot provide sufficient care, call Academic Emergency Services (AES) at +1-610-263-4660. They are available 24/7 and can direct you to appropriate medical resources, including referrals to vetted providers and hospitals, and provide transportation or evacuation to a facility if needed.
  • If you are admitted to the hospital, you or a family member should call Anthem Member Services at +1-844-412-0752 within 48 hours of the admission, or as soon as possible within a reasonable period of time.

Paying for Services

When you call the BCBS Global Core Service Center prior to receiving care, they will work with the doctor and Anthem to approve and accept a Guarantee of Payment (GOP). If you get care from a doctor or hospital that has not accepted a GOP:

  • Present your medical ID card to the facility to see if they can file a claim for you. All international claims are covered at the in-network rate; however, many international providers cannot file claims to US insurance companies.
  • You will likely need to pay the cost up front, then submit a copy of your receipt and a completed International Claim Form to Anthem for reimbursement.
  • Receipts in other currencies and languages will be translated by Anthem as part of the reimbursement process, and reimbursement will be based on the exchange rate on the date of the medical service.

Before Traveling

Due to FDA regulations, Anthem Prescription Management is unable to ship prescription medication internationally. If you are planning extended travel outside the U.S., contact your pharmacist to make sure any existing prescriptions will allow the full amount of medication needed for your trip.

If you need authorization to obtain extra refills of your prescriptions before traveling, contact Anthem at (844) 412-0752 to request a vacation override at least one week ahead of your travel date.

While Traveling

All international claims are covered at the in-network rate, however many international providers cannot file claims to US insurance companies. You will need to pay for your prescription up front, then submit a claim form and receipt directly to the Anthem Prescription Manager. The claim form can be accessed from www.bcbsglobalcore.com.

Replacement of Medications, Medical Devices, and Eyeglasses or Contact Lenses

AES may be able to arrange to refill a lost or forgotten prescription, or to ship replacement eyeglasses, corrective lenses, or medical devices to you. You are responsible for any costs associated with this service. Contact AES at +1-610-263-4660 (outside the U.S.). Reference Group ID: GHS9999AHPCO.

As an Anthem dental member, you and your eligible, covered dependents have access to the International Emergency Dental Program.* With this program, you can receive emergency dental care from credentialed dentists while traveling or working nearly anywhere in the world.

*The International Emergency Dental Program is managed by an independent company offering dental-management services to Anthem. To learn more about the program, please visit the International Emergency Dental Web site at www.decare.com/internationalDentalProgram.do.

IU student health plan members have access to emergency vision services under their IU medical plan while traveling internationally. However, the plans do not cover routine vision care outside of the U.S.

Within the U.S. (outside Indiana)

IU student health plan members have access to Anthem’s National PPO (BlueCard PPO) network of providers and facilities across the U.S., and out-of-network benefits.

Before Traveling

Download the Sydney Health mobile app. Through Sydney you can view your medical plan ID card, find a provider, visit with a doctor virtually through LiveHealth Online, contact Anthem Member Services, and more.

Non-Emergency Care

You can search for a provider in Anthem’s BlueCard PPO national network using the ‘Find a Doctor’ tool at Anthem.com or through the Sydney Health mobile app. You can also call Anthem Member Services at 844-412-0752.

Emergency Care

If you need emergency medical care, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital. If you are admitted to the hospital, you or a family member should call Anthem Member Services at 844-412-0752 within 48 hours of the admission, or as soon as possible within a reasonable period of time.

Paying for Services

Simply present your medical ID card to the network facility and pay any deductible/coinsurance/copayment amount. The facility will electronically file the claim for you. If you choose to visit a non-network facility, you will need to pay for any services received up front, then submit a copy of your receipt and a completed Medical Claim Form to Anthem for reimbursement.

Paying for Prescriptions

Simply present your medical ID card to the network pharmacy and pay any deductible/coinsurance/copayment amount. The pharmacy will electronically file the claim for you.

If you choose to visit a non-network pharmacy, you will be required to pay up front for your prescriptions, then submit a copy of the receipt and a completed claim form to the Anthem Prescription Manager for reimbursement.

Replacement of Medications, Medical Devices, and Eyeglasses or Contact Lenses

If you are traveling more than 100 miles from home, AES may be able to arrange to refill a lost or forgotten prescription, or to ship replacement eyeglasses, corrective lenses, or medical devices to you. You are responsible for any costs associated with this service. Contact AES at +1-610-263-4660 (outside the U.S.). Reference Group ID: GHS9999AHPCO.

IU student health plan members have access to Anthem’s national network of dental care providers. Find a network provider outside of Indiana by visiting the online provider search tool at Anthem.com or by calling Anthem Member Services at (844) 412-0752.

Paying for Services

Simply present your Anthem ID card to the network facility and pay any deductible/coinsurance/copayment amount. The facility will electronically file the claim for you.

If you choose to visit a non-network dentist, you will be required to pay up front for services, then submit a copy of the receipt and completed claim form for reimbursement.

Students enrolled in the IU Professional and International healthcare plans have access to a national network of vision care providers. Find a network provider outside of Indiana by visiting the online provider search tool at Anthem.com or calling Member Services at (844) 412-0752.

Paying for Services

Simply present your ID card to the network facility and pay any deductible / coinsurance / copayment amount. The facility will electronically file the claim for you.

If you choose to visit a non-network provider, you will be required to pay up front for services, then submit a copy of the receipt and a completed claim form for reimbursement.

Frequently Asked Questions

For non-emergency medical care while traveling, you have several options. You can:

  • Call the 24/7 Nurseline at +1-800-337-4770 for guidance on non-emergency health questions or concerns.
  • Visit with a physician virtually 24/7. Anthem plan members have access to telehealth through LiveHealth Online.
  • Visit a network provider or facility. Call the BCBS Global Core Service Center 24/7 at 1+804-673-1177 before getting care. They can help you set up a doctor visit with a network provider.
  • If you are unsure if it is safe to do so, or if the nearest hospital cannot provide sufficient care, call AES at +1610-263-4660. They can direct you to appropriate medical resources, including referrals to vetted providers and hospitals, and provide transportation or evacuation to a facility if needed.
  • If you are admitted to the hospital, you or a family member should call your insurance provider within 48 hours of the admission, or as soon as possible within a reasonable period of time.

If you need non-emergency medical care while traveling, you have several options. You can:

  1. Call the 24/7 Nurseline at 800-337-4770 for guidance on non-emergency health questions or concerns.
  2. Visit with a physician virtually 24/7 Anthem plan members have access to telehealth visits with a provider through LiveHealth Online.
  3. Find an in-network provider or facility. Search for a provider in the BlueCard PPO national network using the ‘Find a Doctor’ tool at Anthem.com or through the Sydney Health mobile app. You can also call Anthem Member Services at (844) 412-0752.

If you need emergency medical care, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital. If you are admitted to the hospital, you or a family member should call your insurance provider within 48 hours of the admission, or as soon as possible within a reasonable period of time.

Many international providers cannot file claims to US insurance companies, which means you will likely need to pay for services up front, then submit a copy of your receipt and a claim form to your insurance provider for reimbursement.

  • Services within the U.S.: Log in to your account at Anthem.com or complete the Anthem Medical Claim Form. Be sure to include copies of your receipts with your claim.
  • Services outside the U.S.: Submit the Anthem International Claim Form with copies of your receipts. Receipts in other currencies and languages will be translated by Anthem as part of the reimbursement process, and reimbursement will be based on the exchange rate on the date of the medical service.

In the event of a potentially life-threatening natural disaster or a political or security event occurring while you’re traveling:

  • Academic Emergency Services (AES) will connect you with a security specialist to discuss on-the-ground security assistance and/or evacuation.
  • You are responsible for any costs associated with this service and advanced payment is required.

Additionally, Academic Emergency Services (AES) offers up to one hour of phone counseling and follow-up referrals to qualified counselors as needed or requested in response to a traumatic situation.

Contact Academic Emergency Services (AES) 24/7:

  • Within the U.S.: 855-873-3555
  • Outside the U.S.: +1-610-263-4660 
  • Reference Group ID: GHS9999AHPCO

Some organizations or travel groups require a letter outlining the medical coverage available to you while traveling. To request a travel letter, contact Anthem at least a few weeks before your departure date.