Coverage Outside the United States

• Most countries do not bill international health insurance carriers, so you may have to pay out of pocket and then file for reimbursement; however, some hospitals will work with BCBS Global Core rather than making the member pay upfront. 
• For more information, contact BCBS Worldwide at (800) 810-2583 or (804) 673-1177 (collect from outside the U.S.).

If the hospital abroad requires a guarantee of payment before providing services, call International SOS at (617) 998-0000. For eligible travelers, International SOS will place a guarantee of payment.

• Submit itemized receipts with an international claim form to BCBS Global Core. 
• If you become hospitalized, please obtain a copy of your medical records at the time of your discharge. 
• You do not need to have the currency or medical records translated.
• You have two years from the date of service to file for reimbursement for medical claims and one year from the date of purchase to file for prescription claims.

• The terms medical record, health record, and medical chart are used interchangeably to describe the documentation of your medical history and care across time within one particular healthcare provider’s jurisdiction. 
• The medical record includes a variety of “notes” entered over time by health care professionals, recording observations and administration of drugs and therapies, orders for the administration of drugs and therapies, test results, x-rays, reports, etc. 
• You can obtain a copy of your medical records at the time of your discharge by contacting your healthcare provider’s medical records department.

Taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medical_record

• If you are injured and need immediate care, first find a way to get help: call your local equivalent of 911 
• If you are unsure if it is safe to do so or if the nearest hospital cannot provide sufficient care, call International SOS at (617) 998-0000 or connect through the Assistance App. 
• International SOS 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 it is not an emergency and you know the nearest hospital is safe, go there. At your earliest convenience, call International SOS.

• If you are admitted to a hospital or require surgery, call the BlueCard Global Core Service Center at (804) 673-1177. 
• Most inpatient admissions and some surgeries require prior authorization.

Eligible travelers should contact International SOS at (617)998-0000 or connect through the Assistance App, in the case of any admission or scheduled surgery. 

International SOS can provide evacuation services if the level of medical care necessary is not available in that country.

• All services covered by the Student Health Insurance Plan are included, but access to those services might be delayed. 
• Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) is not liable if events beyond its control—such as war, riot, public health emergency, or natural disaster—cause delay or failure of BCBS to arrange for or coordinate access to health care services and coverage for members. 
• BCBS will make a good faith effort to arrange for or coordinate health care services to be furnished in these situations.

BCBS will not directly send funds to a country sanctioned by the United States, but they will reimburse the member for those services as long as the member’s address listed on the reimbursement form is in the U.S.

The Student Health Insurance Plan includes coverage for injuries incurred during participation in extreme sports (e.g., mountain climbing)

If you are not enrolled in the Student Health Insurance Plan, you must check with your non-Harvard insurance to determine the extent of your coverage while traveling.

Choice of insurance plan does not affect International SOS services or eligibility.