BCBSA Adds International Private Medical Products to Blue’s Portfolio

Chicago-based Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) has launched a suite of international private medical insurance products for multinational employers and expatriates.

The health plans, branded as BCBS Global, provide solutions for U.S. employees travelling and/or working in other countries, foreign nationals travelling or working in the U.S., and foreign nationals working in or travelling to other non-U.S. countries.

Products sold by GeoBlue, a BCBSA licensee that sells international travel and expatriate insurance to U.S. employers, include:

• Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Expat™: International major medical insurance and assistance services. This plan is designed for employees on international assignments and their families when they leave their home countries for six months or more.
• Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Traveler™: Provides group supplemental medical benefits and services for business travellers outside of their home country for trips lasting up to 180 days.

Co-branded products sold by Bupa Global, a BCBSA licensee that sells international health insurance outside the U.S, meanwhile leverage the largest global healthcare networks spanning 190 countries. The range includes five products called Select, Premier, Elite, Ultimate and Major Medical, which meet customer needs based on different coverage and price options.

These international health insurance offerings boast 24/7 regional service centres that provide language and cultural support across the globe for both medical emergencies and routine inquiries. There are also online and mobile tools to find local health care professionals and medical services.

Additional international travel insurance products for individuals and students will be renamed under the BCBS Global family in the future.

Completing the portfolio, BlueCard Worldwide®, a basic international benefit offered as part of most BCBS employer-sponsored health insurance policies, will be renamed Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Basic International Coverage™. The benefit processes international claims and may reimburse medical professionals or members for medical costs incurred abroad.

The BCBSA is a national federation of 36 independent, community-based and locally-operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies that collectively provide healthcare coverage for one-in-three Americans. The Association, which owns the Blue Cross and Blue Shield trademarks and names in more than 170 geographic areas, grants licenses to independent companies for usage.

Read full press release here.