The BlueCard® Program

Under the BlueCard program, Regence BlueShield provides your employees with access to health care benefits almost anywhere they live, work or travel.

Worry-free and in control.
More than 85 percent of all doctors and hospitals throughout the United States contract with Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans. Outside of the United States, they have access to doctors and hospitals in more than 200 countries.

Designed to save you and your employees money.
In many cases, when your employees live or travel outside the Regence BlueShield service area, they can take advantage of savings the local Blue Cross Blue Shield Plan has negotiated with the doctors and hospitals in the area. Your employees should not have to pay any amount above the negotiated rates, and your claims costs should be lower. (Employee payments are still subject to deductible, copay, coinsurance and non-covered services, as applicable)

Give them the coverage they prefer.
Research indicates that employees prefer the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Brands for health care coverage. With the BlueCard program, Regence BlueShield can give them the coverage they prefer – wherever they live or travel.

They can take charge of their health, wherever they are.

Across the country

1. Your employees should always carry their current Regence BlueShield plan member card for easy reference and access to care.
2. In an emergency, they go directly to the nearest hospital.
3. To find names and addresses of nearby doctors and hospitals, they visit the BlueCard Doctor and Hospital Finder Web site or call BlueCard Access at 1 (800) 810-BLUE(2583) .
4. Employees can call Regence BlueShield for pre-certification or prior authorization, if necessary. The phone number is located on their Regence BlueShield plan member card.
5. When they arrive at the preferred or participating doctor’s office or hospital, they simply present their Regence BlueShield Plan member card.

After they receive care, your employees should not have to complete any claim forms. Nor should they have to pay up front for medical services other than the usual out-of-pocket expenses (deductible, copay, co-insurance and non-covered services).

Around the world
Your employees can also use their Regence BlueShield member ID cards to receive medical services when living or traveling outside the United States. The BlueCard Worldwide program includes medical assistance services and access to doctors, hospitals, and other health care professionals around the world. When your employees live or travel outside the United States, they will follow the same simple process as in the United States, with the following exceptions:

• In most cases, your employees should not need to pay up front for inpatient care at BlueCard Worldwide hospitals. They are responsible for the usual out-of-pocket expenses (deductible, copay, co-insurance and non-covered services). The hospital should submit their claim.
• Your employees pay the doctor or hospital for inpatient care at non-BlueCard Worldwide hospitals, outpatient hospital care, and other medical services. Then, they complete an international claim form and send it to the BlueCard Worldwide Service Center. The claim form is available from Regence BlueShield Customer Service or online at www.bcbs.com/coverage/bluecard/bluecard-worldwide.html.

Your employees can take advantage of these added features when outside of the United States:

• They can call 1 (800) 810-BLUE(2583) or collect at 1 (804) 673-1177, 24 hours a day, seven days a week for information on doctors, hospitals and other health care professionals or to receive medical assistance services around the world.
• A medical assistance coordinator, in conjunction with a medical professional, will make an appointment with a doctor or arrange hospitalization, if necessary.