The concept behind the BlueCard program is simple … peace of mind that your health-care needs will be met when you are traveling or living outside of Arkansas.

As a member of an Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield health plan, your ID card is your link to coverage and network providers throughout the United States and the World.

The BlueCard program is a national program that allows Blue Cross and Blue Shield traditional and PPO members to receive the same health-care benefits and balance billing protection of their local Blue Plan when traveling or living outside of their Plan’s area. Members also enjoy the convenience of having access to the BlueCard Worldwide® network of participating hospitals.

All About BlueCard

BlueCard Highlights

The BlueCard program has three components:

1. National Coverage

Any Blue Plan member can take advantage of the program when traveling or living in another Blue Plan area anywhere in the country. More than 85 percent of all hospitals and physicians throughout the United States contract with Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans. The BlueCard program links each of these health care providers.

2. BlueCard PPO

Members of Blue Plan-affiliated preferred provider organizations (PPOs), such as True Blue PPO, may take their cost-saving benefits and negotiated health care provider discounts with them around the nation. BlueCard PPO links Blue Plan PPO network doctors and hospitals to Blue Plans throughout the United States.

If you or your family are traveling or living in another Blue Plan's area, you can present your ID card to any BlueCard PPO doctor or hospital. An estimated 95 percent of the U.S. population lives in areas covered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield PPOs.

BlueCard doctors and hospitals will recognize your BlueCard PPO membership by a special "PPO in a suitcase" symbol on your ID card. You do not need to fill out a claim form for this service.

3. Coverage Abroad

BlueCard Worldwide lets you use your ID card to receive covered inpatient care at participating hospitals in many countries around the world. BlueCard Worldwide participating hospitals are located in major travel destinations and business centers around the world. When you're traveling or temporarily living outside the United States and require inpatient hospital care, show your ID card to any of these participating hospitals, and your claim will be handled just like it is at home.

Finding a Provider

The BlueCard® program makes it easy for you to obtain information about doctors and hospitals participating with a Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plan outside your Blue Plan's area. Simply pull out your ID card and call BlueCard Access® at 1-800-810-BLUE (2583) for the names and addresses of participating doctors and hospitals in the area where you are traveling or living. If you are traveling abroad, you can use the toll-free number outside the United States by using an AT&T Direct® Access Number.

On the Internet, to find a BlueCard health care provider anywhere from coast to coast and to view a map with detailed driving instructions, visit the BlueCard Provider Finder Web site.

Non-participating Provider

You have the option of using a non-participating hospital or doctor, but you may have to pay that provider directly and then file a claim with Arkansas Blue Cross for reimbursement of covered expenses. Also, a non-participating provider may not accept the plan's allowances as payment in full; therefore, you would be responsible for any account balance above these allowances. Coverage may vary, so contact Arkansas Blue Cross for details.

Emergencies

In case of an emergency, seek immediate care from the nearest provider.

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