Summer Travel: Using Your UT Benefits Away from Home

Summer is almost here and it often brings with it the chance to travel. Whatever your plans, we certainly hope for safe and healthy summer travels for everyone. But we all know that health care needs can come up when we least expect them.

Wherever you spend your time this summer, if you have a medical emergency, go directly to the nearest hospital or call 9-1-1. As soon as it is reasonable, call customer service to speak with Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) about the medical emergency and for any authorization issues.

You may want to keep these travel-related tips for your medical, prescription, and dental coverage handy if you will be away from home during the summer.

UT SELECT Medical

If you’ll be traveling outside of Texas, you can look at the availability of network providers in your destination location on the Blue Access for Members UT SELECT website before you go. BlueCard® is a national program offered as a part of Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans. This program ensures that benefits are available for you and your dependents should you need to obtain health care services when traveling or living outside their Blue Plan service area. Make sure to take your UT SELECT Medical ID card with you. If you need medical care, call BlueCard® at the number on the back of the card, (800) 810-BLUE (2583), for information about the nearest network doctors and hospitals.

• When you arrive at a doctor's office or hospital, present your UT SELECT Medical ID Card. The doctor or hospital will likely verify your eligibility and coverage information.
• Although network providers outside of Texas may preauthorize those services that require it (such as a hospital admission), it is ultimately your responsibility to obtain the proper preauthorization by calling the preauthorization number on the back of your UT SELECT Medical ID Card.
• After you receive medical attention, a network provider will file claims for you.
• You will be responsible for paying any applicable deductible, copayment or coinsurance amounts, as well as any charges for non-covered services. BlueCard® providers have agreed to accept the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plan's allowable amount for covered services and will not bill you for any costs exceeding the allowable amount. 
• If you use a non-contracting hospital or doctor, you will have to pay the provider directly and file a claim with BCBS for reimbursement of covered expenses. Any amount not covered by the plan may be balanced billed to you. Your financial responsibility can be significant when visiting out-of-network providers.

Additional Tips for Travel Abroad:

• If you need to locate a doctor or hospital or need medical assistance while traveling outside of the United States, call the regular BlueCard® program number at (800) 810-BLUE (2583) or call collect at (804) 673-1177, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. A medical assistance coordinator, in conjunction with a medical professional, will arrange hospitalization if necessary. Network benefits will apply for inpatient care at BlueCard Worldwide® hospitals.
• In most cases you will not need to pay for inpatient care at BlueCard Worldwide® hospitals in advance. The hospital should submit your claim on your behalf. You will, however, be responsible for the usual out-of-pocket expenses (non-covered services, deductible, copayment, and coinsurance amounts).
• If you do not use a BlueCard Worldwide® provider for care, you must pay the doctor or hospital at the time of service and obtain an itemized receipt as proof of payment. You will then need to fully complete an international claim form (available online from the Blue Access for Members UT SELECT website) and submit it to the BlueCard Worldwide® Service Center along with your proof of payment in order to receive any applicable reimbursement for covered expenses. Missing information will delay claims processing.
• Remember that bills from international providers may differ significantly from the billing that is typically seen within the United States. The bills may not contain the provider’s name and address or other critical information that is needed. Be sure to gather documentation that includes all of the key details about any services received.

UT SELECT Prescription Drug Benefits

• Should you need to fill prescriptions while you’re away from home, your UT SELECT prescription coverage (administered by Express Scripts) can be used throughout the United States. You may continue to access the large network of retail providers across the United States just as you would at home by presenting your UT SELECT Prescription ID card at the pharmacy at the time of purchase. In many cases, if needed, you can also have prescriptions that are on file at a pharmacy near your home transferred to a retail pharmacy in the area where you’re traveling. 
• While traveling abroad, you must pay for your prescription and submit your international claim directly to Express Scripts for reimbursement. Contact Express Scripts Customer Service directly at (800) 818-0155 for instructions or assistance with submitting an international claim.   If you are a UT retiree, please contact Express Scripts Medicare customer service at (800)860-7849.

UT Dental Benefits

• Within the United States, UT SELECT Dental and UT SELECT Dental Plus enrollees can visit any licensed dentist for services, but keep in mind you will usually save money when you choose a DPO or Delta Dental Premier® dentist, even when you are away from home. Use the ”Find a Dentist” feature on Delta Dental's UT-specific website to locate a dentist anywhere in the United States or to check whether your current dentist is a DPO or Premier dentist.
• Outside the U.S.: You have the freedom to visit any dentist worldwide, and your coverage outside the U.S. is the same as your out-of-network coverage in the U.S. If you receive out-of-network dental care, you must pay for your treatment at the time of service, then submit a claim form for reimbursement.
• DeltaCare USA enrollees must generally receive care from the primary care dentist you chose when you enrolled. If you are traveling and experience a true dental emergency, your plan will reimburse you for any costs above your $25 copayment for palliative (emergency) treatment to relieve pain. For additional information, contact Delta Dental Customer Service.

Contact Delta Dental Customer Service at (800) 893-3582 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Central, Monday-Friday for additional details.

International SOS

As an international traveler, additional services are also available through the UT System-wide International SOS program. International SOS is a comprehensive, 24-hour medical and emergency response organization that works on your behalf to coordinate with your insurance provider in the United States and providers abroad to ensure that you receive the assistance you need.

Membership benefits through International SOS are available at no cost when traveling abroad on University business and are available at a discount for traveling companions and for employees or dependents traveling abroad for leisure.

For additional information regarding the International SOS program, please contact your Institution Travel Office.

More detailed information and a quick reference guide for the International SOS program and the UT SELECT Medical plan can be found on the International Travel Quick Reference Sheet.

Additional Resources

• Visit Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Core to find doctors and hospitals outside of the United States, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands. You can also find other valuable resources to help you stay safe and healthy around the world. To access details, please click to accept the terms and conditions and enter "UTS" as the first three letters of your Member ID.

Traveler’s Guide to Safe Dental Care for advice accessing safe dental care when traveling abroad from The Organization for Safety, Asepsis and Prevention (OSAP).