Student Academic Appointee Travel Coverage
The coverage described on this page applies to students enrolled in the IU Student Academic Appointee Anthem healthcare plan.
Before traveling, it’s important to learn about the travel services available to you and how your health insurance works if you experience medical needs or emergencies while away from home.
As an Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield member, you have access to care across the country through the BlueCard PPO Program. This includes access to 93% of doctors and 96% of hospitals in the U.S. If you’re outside the U.S., you can use the Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Core Program. It gives you access to preferred doctors and hospitals in nearly 190 countries and territories around the world.
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Emergency Travel Assistance
Your life and AD&D plan includes coverage under Academic Emergency Services (AES), a program designed to help you prepare for trips and respond to emergencies while you are traveling more than 100 miles from home or outside your country. Please note that this is not travel insurance and it is not health insurance.
Services through AES include emergency medical evacuation and repatriation, pre-travel and safety assistance, and an accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D) benefit. Review the AES Summary & Wallet Card for additional program benefits and details.
To prepare for your trip, visit the AES website at aes.myahpcare.com. To access services 24/7 call 855-873-3555 (within the U.S.) or +1-610-263-4660 (outside the U.S.). Reference Group ID: GHS9999AHPCO.
Services Available
Services available through your AES plan include:
- Emergency medical evacuation and repatriation and emergency family assistance services
- Accidental Death and Dismemberment
- Medical, travel, safety, and legal assistance
- Pre-travel information portal
- Physician referrals outside of the U.S.
- Medical monitoring during an emergency evacuation to ensure adequate care
- Prescription assistance
- Locating lost or stolen items (i.e. passport, luggage)
- Emergency travel arrangements
- Security/Political Evacuation Coverage
- Natural Disaster Evacuation Coverage
Contact AES 24/7
If you need medical or travel assistance, regardless of the nature or severity of your situation, please contact AES 24 hours a day/7 days a week.
- Call toll-free: 1(855) 873-3555 – within the U.S.
- Call collect: 1(610) 263-4660 – outside the U.S.
- Email:
- Group ID: GHS9999AHPCO
Download the AES Summary & Wallet Card to keep this information on-hand while traveling.
Healthcare While Traveling
The information below is for SAAs and family members enrolled in the IU SAA Anthem healthcare plan. Review each section to learn steps to take before traveling, how to access emergency or non-emergency care while traveling, and how to pay for those services. Be sure to always have an up-to-date copy of your health plan ID card(s) with you while traveling.
Outside the U.S.
Medical Care
Appointees and family members enrolled in the IU SAA Anthem healthcare plan has access to the Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) Global Core® network of physicians and hospitals overseas, and out-of-network benefits.
Before Traveling
Download the BCBS Global Core mobile app. You can use the app to search for providers, translate medical terms and phrases, file international claims, and more.
Non-Emergency Care
When you’re traveling abroad and need non-emergency medical care, call the BCBS Global Core Service Center 24/7 at +1-804-673-1177 before getting care. They can help you set up a doctor’s visit or hospital stay.
Emergency Care
- If you need emergency medical care, call the local equivalent of ‘911’ or go to the nearest hospital.
- If you are unsure if it is safe to do so, or if the nearest hospital cannot provide sufficient care, call Academic Emergency Services (AES) at +1-610-263-4660. They are available 24/7 and can direct you to appropriate medical resources, including referrals to vetted providers and hospitals, and provide transportation or evacuation to a facility if needed.
- If you are admitted to the hospital, you or a family member should call Anthem Member Services at +1-844-736-0920 within 48 hours of the admission, or as soon as possible within a reasonable period of time.
Paying for Services
When you call the BCBS Global Core Service Center prior to receiving care, they will work with the doctor and Anthem to approve and accept a Guarantee of Payment (GOP). If you get care from a doctor or hospital that has not accepted a GOP:
- Present your medical ID card to the facility to see if they can file a claim for you. All international claims are covered at the in-network rate; however, many international providers cannot file claims to US insurance companies.
- You will likely need to pay the cost up front, then submit a copy of your receipt and a completed International Claim Form to Anthem for reimbursement.
- Receipts in other currencies and languages will be translated by Anthem as part of the reimbursement process, and reimbursement will be based on the exchange rate on the date of the medical service.
Travel Benefit
Beginning January 1, 2023, IU medical plan benefits were expanded to include a travel benefit of up to $2,000 annually for covered medical services that are not available within 100 miles of the member’s home, subject to plan cost shares. Eligible travel and lodging expenses must be paid up front by the member, then submitted to Anthem for reimbursement using the following process.
- Verify that Anthem has received the claim for the medical services provided.
- Once that claim is on file, complete the Travel & Lodging Claim Form.
- Email the completed claim form and receipts to .
- You’re encouraged to keep a copy of the claim form and receipt(s) for your records.
Medications
Before Traveling
Due to FDA regulations, CVS Caremark is unable to ship prescription medication internationally. If you are planning extended travel outside the U.S., contact your pharmacist to make sure any existing prescriptions will allow the full amount of medication needed for your trip.
If you need authorization to obtain extra refills of your prescriptions before traveling, contact IU Human Resources at or 812-856-1234 to request a vacation override at least a week ahead of your travel date.
While Traveling
All international claims are covered at the in-network rate; however many international providers cannot file claims to US insurance companies. You will need to pay for your prescription up front, then submit a claim form and receipt directly to CVS Caremark.
Replacement of Medications, Medical Devices, and Eyeglasses or Contact Lenses
AES may be able to arrange to refill a lost or forgotten prescription, or to ship replacement eyeglasses, corrective lenses, or medical devices to you. You are responsible for any costs associated with this service. Contact AES at +1-610-263-4660 (outside the U.S.). Reference Group ID: GHS9999AHPCO.
Dental Care
Appointees and family members enrolled in IU dental plan coverage have access to out-of-network dental benefits while traveling internationally.
Paying for Services
Members are required to pay up front for services, then submit a completed claim form (available by logging in to Anthem.com) and a receipt to Anthem for reimbursement.
Vision Care
Appointees and family members enrolled in an IU-sponsored medical plan have access to out-of-network vision benefits while traveling internationally.
Paying for Services
Members are required to pay up front for services and/or eyewear, then submit a completed claim form and receipt to Anthem Blue View Vision.
Within the U.S. (outside Indiana)
Medical Care
Appointees and family members enrolled the IU SAA Anthem healthcare plan have access to Anthem’s National PPO (BlueCard PPO) network of providers and facilities across the U.S., and out-of-network benefits.
Before Traveling
Download the Sydney Health mobile app. Through Sydney you can view your medical plan ID card, find a provider, visit with a doctor virtually through LiveHealth Online, contact Anthem Member Services, and more.
Non-Emergency Care
You can search for a provider in Anthem’s BlueCard PPO national network using the ‘Find a Doctor’ tool at Anthem.com or through the Sydney Health mobile app. You can also call Anthem Member Services at 844-736-0920.
Emergency Care
If you need emergency medical care, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital. If you are admitted to the hospital, you or a family member should call Anthem Member Services at 844-736-0920 within 48 hours of the admission, or as soon as possible within a reasonable period of time.
Paying for Services
Simply present your medical ID card to the network facility and pay any deductible/coinsurance/copayment amount. The facility will electronically file the claim for you.
If you choose to visit a non-network facility, the provider may be willing to bill your insurance, but if not, you will need to pay for any services received up front, then submit a copy of your receipt and a completed Medical Claim Form to Anthem for reimbursement.
Travel Benefit
Beginning January 1, 2023, IU medical plan benefits were expanded to include a travel benefit of up to $2,000 annually for covered medical services that are not available within 100 miles of the member’s home, subject to plan cost shares. Eligible travel and lodging expenses must be paid up front by the member, then submitted to Anthem for reimbursement using the following process.
- Verify that Anthem has received the claim for the medical services provided.
- Once that claim is on file, complete the Travel & Lodging Claim Form.
- Email the completed claim form and receipts to .
- You’re encouraged to keep a copy of the claim form and receipt(s) for your records.
Medications
Appointees and family members enrolled in an IU-sponsored medical plan have access to the national CVS Caremark pharmacy network, which includes most retail and supermarket chain pharmacies and some independent pharmacies. Visit the CVS Caremark Pharmacy Locator or call CVS Caremark Member Services at 866-234-6952 to find a network pharmacy near you.
Paying for Prescriptions
Simply present your medical ID card to the network pharmacy and pay any deductible/coinsurance/copayment amount. The pharmacy will electronically file the claim for you.
If you choose to visit a non-network pharmacy, you will be required to pay up front for your prescriptions, then submit a copy of the receipt and a completed claim form to CVS Caremark for reimbursement.
Replacement of Medications, Medical Devices, and Eyeglasses or Contact Lenses
If you are traveling more than 100 miles from home, AES may be able to arrange to refill a lost or forgotten prescription, or to ship replacement eyeglasses, corrective lenses, or medical devices to you. You are responsible for any costs associated with this service. Contact AES at 855-873-3555 and reference Group ID: GHS9999AHPCO.
Dental Care
Appointees and family members enrolled in the IU SAA dental plan have access to Anthem’s national dental network. You can find a network dentist outside of Indiana using the online Find Care tool or by calling Anthem Member Services at the number on your ID card.
Paying for Services
Simply present your dental ID card to the network facility and pay any deductible/coinsurance/copayment amount. The facility will electronically file the claim for you.
If you choose to visit a non-network dentist, you will be required to pay up front for services, then submit a completed claim form (available by logging in to Anthem.com) and a receipt to Cigna for reimbursement.
Vision Care
Appointees and family members enrolled in the IU SAA Anthem healthcare plan have access to a national network of vision care providers. Find a network provider outside of Indiana by using the online provider search tool or calling the customer service number listed below.
- Member Services: 844-736-0920
- Find a Vision Care Provider (selectthe ‘Blue View Vision’ network)
Paying for Services
Simply present your ID card to the network facility and pay any deductible / coinsurance / copayment amount. The facility will electronically file the claim for you.
If you chose to visit a non-network provider, you will be required to pay up front for services, then submit a copy of the receipt and a completed claim form for reimbursement to Anthem Blue View Vision.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I need non-emergency medical care while I’m traveling outside the U.S.?
If you are enrolled in an IU-sponsored medical plan and need non-emergency medical care while traveling, you have several options. You can:
- Call the 24/7 Nurseline at 800-337-4770 for guidance on non-emergency health questions or concerns.
- Visit with a physician virtually 24/7. Anthem plan members have access to telehealth visits with a provider through LiveHealth Online.
- Visit a network provider or facility. Anthem plan members should call the BCBS Global Core Service Center 24/7 at +1-804-673-1177 before getting care. They can help you set up a doctor visit with a network provider.
What if I need emergency medical care while I’m traveling outside the U.S.?
- If you need emergency medical care, call the local equivalent of ‘911’ or go to the nearest hospital.
- If you are unsure if it is safe to do so, or if the nearest hospital cannot provide sufficient care, call Academic Emergency Services (AES) at 1-610-263-4660. They can direct you to appropriate medical resources, including referrals to vetted providers and hospitals, and provide transportation or evacuation to a facility if needed.
- If you are admitted to the hospital, you or a family member should call Anthem at 844-736-0920 within 48 hours of the admission, or as soon as possible within a reasonable period of time.
What if I need non-emergency medical care while I’m traveling within the U.S.?
If you are enrolled in an IU-sponsored medical plan and need non-emergency medical care while traveling, you have several options. You can:
- Call the 24/7 Nurseline at 800-337-4770 for guidance on non-emergency health questions or concerns.
- Visit with a physician virtually 24/7. Anthem plan members have access to telehealth visits with a provider through LiveHealth Online.
- Find an in-network provider or facility. Anthem plan members can search for a provider in the BlueCard PPO national network using the ‘Find Care’ tool at anthem.com or through the Sydney Health mobile app. You can also call Anthem Member Services at 844-736-0920.
What if I need emergency medical care while I’m traveling within the U.S.?
If you need emergency medical care, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital. If you are admitted to the hospital, you or a family member should call Anthem at 844-736-0920 within 48 hours of the admission, or as soon as possible within a reasonable period of time.
How do I submit a claim for reimbursement for medical services I paid out of pocket?
Many international providers cannot file claims to US insurance companies, which means you will likely need to pay for services up front, then submit a copy of your receipt and a claim form to Anthem for reimbursement.
- Services within the U.S.: Log in to your account at Anthem.com or complete the Anthem Medical Claim Form. Be sure to include copies of your receipts with your claim.
- Services outside the U.S.: Submit the Anthem International Claim Form with copies of your receipts. Receipts in other currencies and languages will be translated by Anthem as part of the reimbursement process, and reimbursement will be based on the exchange rate on the date of the medical service.
What if there is a political or natural disaster while I’m traveling?
In the event of a potentially life-threatening natural disaster or a political or security event occurring while you’re traveling:
- Academic Emergency Services (AES) will connect you with a security specialist to discuss on-the-ground security assistance and/or evacuation.
- You are responsible for any costs associated with this service and advanced payment is required.
Additionally, Academic Emergency Services (AES) offers up to one hour of phone counseling and follow-up referrals to qualified counselors as needed or requested in response to a traumatic situation.
Contact Academic Emergency Services (AES) 24/7:
- Within the U.S.: 855-873-3555
- Outside the U.S.: +1-610-263-4660
- Reference Group ID: GHS9999AHPCO
I need a letter outlining my medical coverage for a trip. How do I receive one?
Some organizations or travel groups require a letter outlining the medical coverage available to you while traveling. To request a travel letter, contact at least a few weeks before your departure date.