Find out about your health care coverage when you are traveling within the United States or abroad.
Enhanced Travel Benefits
The MIT health plans will cover transportation (automobile, airplane, train, or bus) and lodging expenses up to an annual benefit maximum of $5,000 for covered services. This coverage is provided when access to covered services is not available within 100 miles of the member's residence at the time the service(s) is needed, and the member must travel to an in-network provider for the covered services.
Domestic Travel and Emergencies
BCBS PPO+ Plan members are covered throughout the PPO nationwide Blue Cross Blue Shield network. No referrals are necessary and a copay or deductible may apply depending upon the services rendered.
BCBS High Deductible Health Plan members are covered throughout the PPO nationwide Blue Cross Blue Shield network. No referrals are necessary. You will pay for services in full until you meet your annual deductible. After that, you’ll pay 10 percent coinsurance for services not provided at MIT Health.
Finding Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) Providers
- In this country: Members of all plans can find a BCBS-participating healthcare provider in the United States by going to the Blue Cross Blue Shield Doctor and Hospital Finder. Or just call 1-888-376-0218.
- Outside of the country: To find a BCBS-participating provider outside of the U.S., go to Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Core, and log in by entering the first three letters of the identification code on your insurance card.
International travel
Are you traveling overseas? If you are enrolled in the MIT Traditional, MIT Choice, Blue Care Elect PPO, Medex, or Managed Blue for Seniors plans, the information below will help you understand your health care coverage while traveling and what to do in an emergency.
Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO+ and High Deductible Health Care Plans
The MIT employee health plans cover your care in full—less your normal copay or deductible and coinsurance—if you have a medical emergency or need urgent medical care anywhere in the world. But for Blue Cross Blue Shield to authorize coverage, you must provide notification within 48 hours. Call BCBS Global Core:
- Inside USA: 1-800-810-BLUE
- Outside USA: 1-804-673-1177
Be sure to print out the Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Core brochure (below) to take along with you. In the event you require medical services while traveling overseas and need to pay out-of-pocket for these services, you can print out the Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Core International Claim Form (below) and submit it for reimbursement directly to BCBS Global Core, along with your original, itemized bill(s) and paid receipts(s). Please be sure to keep copies of what you submit to BCBS Global Core for your records. You should receive your reimbursement, less any co-payment(s), co-insurance, or deductible amounts that you are responsible to pay, within 30 calendar days.
Medex Plan (in conjunction with Medicare)
If you are traveling outside the United States, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands and you need emergency medical care (or urgent care), you can get help to find a health care provider. Call 1-800-810-BLUE (or call collect at 1-804-673-1177). There are no providers that have a payment agreement with Blue Cross and Blue Shield, but the BCBS Global Core Service Center can help you to access a health care provider. Emergency medical evacuation is not covered on the Medex Plan.
In the event you require medical services while traveling overseas and need to pay out-of-pocket for these services, you can print out the Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Core International Claim Form (below) and submit it for reimbursement directly to BCBS Global Core, along with your original, itemized bill(s) and paid receipts(s). Please be sure to keep copies of what you submit for your records. You should receive your reimbursement, less any co-payment(s), co-insurance, or deductible amounts that you are responsible to pay, within 30 calendar days.
Managed Blue for Seniors Plan (in conjunction with Medicare)
The Plan provides worldwide emergency coverage. This means that the Plan covers emergency medical services whether you are in or out of the Managed Blue for Seniors service area. These emergency medical services may include inpatient or outpatient services by providers qualified to furnish emergency medical care and that are needed to evaluate or stabilize your emergency medical condition. Emergency medical evacuation is not covered on the Managed Blue for Seniors Plan.
It is important to notify your Primary Care Provider (PCP) of any emergency medical condition. This is so that your PCP (or the Plan) can be involved in the coordination of your health care and so that follow-up care can be arranged, if needed. You, the facility or someone on your behalf must call your PCP within 48 hours of receiving emergency medical care, including emergency room visits or emergency admissions.
If you receive urgent care for a medical condition while you are out of the service area, you must call your PCP or the Plan’s customer service office at the toll-free telephone number shown on your Managed Blue for Seniors identification card within 48 hours of receiving the care. The Plan will provide coverage for one Medicare-approved visit (if you need it) without a referral from your PCP while you are still outside the service area.
In the event you require medical services while traveling overseas and need to pay out-of-pocket for these services, you can print out the Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Core International Claim Form (below) and submit it for reimbursement directly to BCBS Global Core, along with your original, itemized bill(s) and paid receipts(s). Please be sure to keep copies of what you submit for your records. You should receive your reimbursement, less any co-payment(s), co-insurance, or deductible amounts that you are responsible to pay, within 30 calendar days.
Tufts Medicare Preferred Plan
The Tufts Medicare Preferred plan offers emergency care only while traveling overseas. In the event you require emergency medical services while traveling overseas and need to pay out-of-pocket for these services, you can print out the Tufts Medicare Preferred or Tufts Medicare Complement Member Reimbursement Form (below) and submit it for reimbursement directly to Tufts Health Plan, along with your original, itemized bills(s) and paid receipt(s). For more information regarding overseas coverage, call the member services number on the back of your ID card.
Emergency medical and security evacuation
MIT has contracted with the travel assistance company International SOS to provide emergency medical and security evacuation services to faculty, staff and students who are traveling abroad on MIT business. International SOS has 24-hour alarm centers, international clinics and remote-site medical facilities covering five continents.
Learn more at MIT's International SOS Program Portal.
More help with international travel
MIT's Global Support Resources (GSR) site offers a range of resources to help travelers prepare for their trip and stay healthy while abroad.
