Care While Traveling
Whether you live and work outside of Alaska, or need medical care while traveling, it’s good to understand how to use your health plan.
Virtual care
If you’re away from your plan home area, you can call a nurse who will help you understand if you need immediate care or what your other options are. Free 24-Hour NurseLine is included in your plan: Find the phone number on the back of your member ID card.
Coverage varies by plan
Employer and other group plans
Premera Blue Cross employer-based group plans offer coverage for travel in and out of the area.You can download the Premera app to easily access your digital member ID card and Find a Doctor on the go.
You have BlueCard coverage (across U.S., Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands), which is in-network access to providers that are contracted to Blue Cross or Blue Shield companies. You can tell if you have BlueCard coverage by looking for the small PPO suitcase icon on your member ID card.
Call the BlueCard Provider Locater phone number on the back of your card or sign in and use Find a Doctor to find providers in the BlueCard network. Enter the ZIP code of the area you are in.
Providers can verify your Premera coverage when you visit with your member ID. After you receive medical care, the provider will submit a claim to the local Blue Cross or Blue Shield plan, and they'll route it to us. You're responsible only for the out-of-pocket expenses you normally pay under your plan.
Individual and family plans
With Alaska individual plans, your providers are in a local network and you don’t have out-of-network coverage except in emergency situations.
Need medical care while outside of your network? Look for providers that are in the local Blue Cross or Blue Shield network. You will have to pay the entire bill, but it usually is at the Blue discounted rate. Call the BlueCard number on the back of your ID card to find a BlueCard provider near you.
International travel
Register on the BlueCross BlueShield Global Core website to find doctors and hospitals outside of the United States. You will most likely be asked to pay the bill directly; be sure to get a copy and mail or scan and submit the claim to Premera via your online account.
Research care options before traveling in case you have difficulty accessing websites and phone numbers on your trip.
Medicare members: BlueCard and international Global Core coverage programs are not available if you’re on a Medicare plan; however, the free 24-Hour NurseLine is. Please refer to your plan summary for additional details.