Human Resources

Services available through Assist America include:

• Pre-trip information such as Visa requirements, currency exchange, immunization requirements, and embassy and consulate referrals
• Locating lost or stolen items (such as luggage or travel documents)
• COVID-19 information
• Medical emergency monitoring
• Evacuation due to political or natural disaster
• Emergency medical evacuation, medical repatriation, and repatriation of remains
• Emergency transportation

Review the Travel Assistance Program Guide for a full list of services.

• Within the U.S.: 800-872-1414
  Outside the U.S.: +1-609-986-1234
• Press the ‘Tap for Help’ button on the Assist America Mobile app
  Google Play | Apple App Store
• Reference Number: 01-AA-STD-5201

Employees, residents, and family members enrolled in an IU-sponsored Anthem medical plan have 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 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 Assist America at +1-609-986-1234 or press the ‘Tap for Help’ button in the Assist America mobile app. 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 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
When you call the BCBS Global Core Service Center prior 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
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.

1. Verify that Anthem has received the claim for the medical services provided.
2. Once that claim is on file, complete the Travel & Lodging Claim Form.
3. Email the completed claim form and receipts to .

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 are enrolled in an IU-sponsored medical plan and 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
Assist America 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 Assist America 24/7 by calling +1-609-986-1234 or by pressing the ‘Tap for Help’ button in the Assist America mobile app.

Employees, residents, and family members enrolled in an IU-sponsored Cigna dental plan 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 Cigna.com) and a receipt to Cigna for reimbursement. For services provided by a non-network dentist, Cigna will reimburse according to the Maximum Reimbursable Charge. The MRC is calculated at the 90th percentile of all provider charges in the geographic area. The dentist may balance bill up to their usual fees.

Employees, residents, and family members enrolled in an IU-sponsored Anthem 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.

• Blue View Vision Claim Form

Employees, residents, and family members enrolled in an IU-sponsored Anthem medical 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, 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
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.

1. Verify that Anthem has received the claim for the medical services provided.
2. Once that claim is on file, complete the Travel & Lodging Claim Form.
3. Email the completed claim form and receipts to .

Employees, residents, and family members enrolled in an IU-sponsored Anthem 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, Assist America 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 Assist America 24/7 by calling 800-872-1414 or by pressing the ‘Tap for Help’ button in the Assist America mobile app.

Employees, residents, and family members enrolled in an IU-sponsored Cigna dental plan have access to the national Total CIGNA DPPO network. You can find a network dentist outside of Indiana using the online Find a Dentist tool or by calling Cigna Member Services at 800-244-6224.

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 Cigna.com) and a receipt to Cigna for reimbursement.

Employees, residents, and family members enrolled in an IU-sponsored Anthem medical 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 (select the ‘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.

• Blue View Vision Out-of-Network Claim Form

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. You will generally need to pay for your care up front and then submit a claim form to Anthem for reimbursement, since international providers generally cannot bill insurance directly.

• 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 Assist America at +1-609-986-1234 or press the ‘Tap for Help’ button in the Assist America mobile app. 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.

If you are enrolled in an IU-sponsored medical plan and need non-emergency medical care while traveling, you have several options. You can:

1. Call the 24/7 Nurseline at 800-337-4770 for guidance on non-emergency health questions or concerns.
2. Visit with a physician virtually 24/7. Anthem plan members have access to telehealth visits with a provider through LiveHealth Online.
3. 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.
   

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.

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.

Submit a copy of the receipt and a completed claim form to CVS Caremark for reimbursement.

Yes. The IU Benefit card can be used at any healthcare provider where Visa is accepted.

You are responsible for verifying that the expense is a qualified medical expense under Section 213(d) of the Internal Revenue Code and IRS Publication 502.

Regarding foreign exchange rates (if applicable), any card transaction outside of US currency is subject to the current daily exchange rate established by VISA. Depending on the card, you could be charged a markup or a conversion fee. These fees are like what you'd pay for any other credit card and can range anywhere from 1 - 3% depending on the provider. Check with your provider regarding these fees.

In the event of a potentially life-threatening natural disaster or a political or security event occurring while you’re traveling:

• Assist America 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, Assist America 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 Assist America 24/7

• Within the U.S.: 800-872-1414
  Outside the U.S.: +1-609-986-1234
• Press the ‘Tap for Help’ button on the Assist America Mobile app
• Reference Number: 01-AA-STD-5201

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.

Entry into some countries requires a negative COVID-19 test. Some destinations do not accept in-home tests or may not allow you to bring an in-home test into the destination for reentry purposes. Be sure to confirm government guidelines before traveling. If you are unable to find these guidelines, you can contact Assist America at 800-872-1414 for assistance.

COVID-19 testing is available locally or through the university. IU-sponsored medical plans cover the cost of COVID-19 testing regardless of the reason. However, some testing locations may not bill insurance.

If flying out of country, many large international airports offer testing for this purpose. These tests generally cost around $200-250 and often require cash payment or credit card (they typically will not bill insurance). Visit the airport’s website for more information on the testing services offered.