What you need to know
Whether you’re exploring the United States or venturing beyond its borders, you can travel with confidence knowing that your UC PPO plan is with you every step of the way.
Travel within the United States (outside California)
Your UC PPO plan covers routine, urgent and emergency care, as well as medications, while traveling within the United States and abroad.
Virtual care/telehealth
Accolade Care: Speak with a board-certified doctor 24/7 via phone, tablet or computer for nonemergency conditions. You can also schedule a virtual therapist visit while traveling if needed.
Accolade 24/7 nurse line: Call (866) 406-1182 or log on to the digital member portal at member.accolade.com for instant support from a registered nurse.
In-person care
BlueCard program: When traveling outside California, you and your covered family members can access the national Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield network through the BlueCard program. BlueCard providers are treated as in-network, lowering your out-of-pocket costs. After meeting your deductible, your plan covers services as if you were in California.
Urgent care center: These walk-in clinics can diagnose and treat nonemergency conditions. For lower out-of-pocket costs, use an in-network urgent care center. Find one through the Accolade member portal or call Accolade at (866) 406-1182 (Mon–Fri, 5 a.m.–8 p.m. PT).
To find a BlueCard provider or schedule an Accolade Care virtual visit, call Accolade at (866) 406-1182 or go to the Accolade member portal.
In an emergency, call 911 or go to the closest hospital emergency room. For emotional distress or a mental health or substance use crisis, call or text 988 for immediate support.
Travel outside the United States
Get worldwide access to care through the Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Core (Global Core) program.
UC Care and CORE members: Your benefits work the same abroad as they do in the United States. After meeting your plan’s deductible, you pay your plan’s standard coinsurance for covered services. The plan also covers the full cost of prescriptions, less any applicable copay or deductible and coinsurance.
Nonurgent or nonemergency care: Call the Global Core Service Center, available 24/7, at +1 (804) 673-1177 (collect calls accepted) to confirm coverage and that the care is appropriate. Anthem will request a “Guarantee of Payment” with the provider so that you will only have to pay your deductible or coinsurance at the time of service. Otherwise, you will likely have to pay the entire bill upfront and then submit a claim to Anthem for reimbursement (minus any deductible or coinsurance).
UC Health Savings Plan (HSP) members: Coverage outside the United States includes urgent and emergency services only. After you meet the plan’s deductible, you pay 20% of the cost of services, including any prescription medications. The plan does not cover routine care outside the United States. In an emergency, go to the nearest hospital and have the provider or your traveling companion contact the Global Core Service Center at +1 (804) 673-1177 (collect calls accepted) as soon as possible.
Paying for services
If you aren’t able to secure a Guarantee of Payment through the Global Core Service Center, providers outside the United States may require upfront payment. If you must pay at the time of service, keep itemized receipts and other related documentation so you can submit a claim for reimbursement.
In an emergency, go to the nearest hospital and have the provider or a traveling companion contact the Global Core Service Center on your behalf as soon as possible. The Service Center is available 24/7 at 1+ (804) 673-1177. Collect calls are accepted. See the Global Core program brochure [PDF] for coverage details and how to file a claim.
Travel vaccines
Your UC PPO health plan covers most FDA-approved vaccines, including hepatitis A, hepatitis B, meningitis, polio, Japanese encephalitis, rabies, typhoid, and yellow fever, when received in a doctor’s office. Certain travel immunizations are also covered by your Navitus pharmacy benefit.
Vaccine options
Doctor’s office: Check with your provider to see if they stock and administer the CDC-recommended vaccines for where you are traveling. UC travel clinics: On-site travel vaccine services are available at UC San Diego, UC Davis, UCLA and UC Berkeley.
Retail pharmacy: Visit any Navitus network pharmacy. Many Walgreens and CVS MinuteClinics also stock or can order travel vaccines. Find a pharmacy on the Navitus portal.
Need help?
From within the United States, call (866) 406-1182 to speak with an Accolade Care Advocate (Monday–Friday, 5 a.m.–8 p.m. PT). From outside the United States, call 1+ (512) 788-9735.
Safe travels!