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FAQs

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) Companies are committed to serving the international healthcare needs of increasingly globally mobile customers.  The array of international insurance products available from BCBS is now available under the unified brand, Blue Cross Blue Shield GlobalTM. 

Below are answers to a few questions customers may have regarding the Blue Cross Blue Shield GlobalTM portfolio and the different coverage options available.

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General

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield Global® is the brand used to identify the comprehensive portfolio of Blue Cross Blue Shield international medical insurance products that serve multinational employers and individuals traveling globally. The Blue Cross Blue Shield Global® brand is owned by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.

  • A full suite of best-in-class products and services under the unified BCBS Global® brand are available to meet healthcare coverage needs of customers when working, studying or traveling internationally. 

    • Existing Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) members may have international coverage under their plan benefits through the current BlueCard Worldwide® program. This program will be rebranded as Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Core beginning January 1, 2017, but this change does not impact existing coverage.
    • Employers and individuals based in the U.S. may opt to purchase Expatriate, Student or Travel products for outbound travel.  These products are provided by GeoBlue.
    • Bupa Global/Blue Cross Blue Shield co-branded Expatriate and Individual Globalist products are available for individuals and employer locations outside of the U.S. 

  • The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association is a national federation of 36 independent, community-based and locally-operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield Companies. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Companies provide coverage for more than 106 million members. For more information visit www.bcbs.com. 

  • GeoBlue works with participating Blue Cross and Blue Shield Companies in the U.S. to provide individual, academic and employer-focused international health insurance plans. GeoBlue is the trade name of Worldwide Insurance Services, LLC (Worldwide Services Insurance Agency, LLC in California and New York), an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association For more information, visit GeoBlue. 

  • Through a strategic partnership with the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, Bupa Global provides co-branded Expatriate products outside of the U.S. Bupa Global is the international business line of Bupa, which serves over 32 million customers worldwide.

    To learn more about the Bupa Global/Blue Cross Blue Shield co-branded products, visit Bupa Global.

  • BCBS Companies provide members with coverage outside of the U.S. through the BlueCard Worldwide® program, to be rebranded Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Core effective 1/1/17. Coverage is dependent upon the product and plan design.  For more information regarding the program or to search for providers outside of the U.S., please visit the program website.

    In addition, BCBS customers may choose to purchase enhanced coverage from a full suite of BCBS Global® products designed for employers and individuals when traveling, living or working outside of the U.S. For more information on these products, please visit GeoBlue.