Skip to content Skip to navigation

Traveling Outside the U.S.

Learn what the university's medical plans cover when you travel internationally. In some cases, you may want to temporarily change plans during periods when you’re away. To help you make an informed decision, review your options below in the medical plans comparison chart.

  Blue Shield Healthcare + Savings Plan Blue Shield EPO Kaiser HMO/
Stanford Health Care Alliance (SHCA)
Coverage

In-network:
You pay copayment, non-covered charges and deductibles as appropriate.

Out-of-network:
You pay for services and submit original bill with International claim form.

In-network:
You pay copayment as appropriate. Check with Blue Shield about preauthorization requirements.

Out-of-network:
You pay for services. May be coverage for emergency care.*

 Worldwide emergency care* coverage only.
Filing Claim

If BlueCard Service Center arranged your hospital stay, the hospital will file the claim for you.

For all other care, you pay the provider and submit an international claim form to Blue Shield.

If BlueCard Service Center arranged your hospital stay, the hospital will file the claim for you.

For all other care, you pay the provider and submit an international claim form to Blue Shield.

 You pay services. Submit claim for reimbursement.
Itemization For all plans: Provide itemized bill (translated to English). Convert billed amount
to the equivalent U.S. currency rate of exchange in effect at the time you received
medical care.
Emergency Evacuation: While working overseas For Stanford medical plans: Contact your medical plan to learn about services available for a medical emergency.
For Stanford International SOS:  Learn about Emergency Evacuation procedures while working overseas on the Stanford International Travel website.
Emergency Evacuation: Leisure/vacation travel For Stanford medical plans: Contact your medical plan to learn about services available for a medical emergency.
For Stanford International SOS: not available.
Contact Info

Blue Shield California
(800) 873-3605 or

Bluecard Worldwide
(800) 810-2583 or
Call collect (804) 673-1177

Blue Shield California
(800) 873-3605 or

Bluecard Worldwide
(800) 810-2583 or
Call collect (804) 673-1177

Kaiser Permanente
(800) 464-4000

Stanford Health Care Alliance (SHCA)
(855) 345-SHCA (7422)

*Contact your health plan’s Member Services for an explanation of emergency care.