International coverage at a glance.
Premera Blue Cross is the BCBS licensee for Washington State and Alaska. Alaska residents face a distinctive geography problem — in-state specialty care often requires travel to Seattle or Anchorage — so evacuation coverage matters more than for most BCBS members.
PPO vs HMO vs HDHP.
Premera PPO plans carry the strongest international benefit through Global Core. HMO plans (including Premera's smaller HMO products) are emergency-only. HDHP plans apply the deductible first. Alaska members: treat evacuation coverage as a baseline requirement, not a luxury.
What's covered, what isn't.
Typically covered
- Emergency room visits abroad through Global Core
- Emergency hospitalization and ambulance
- Urgent care on some PPO plans
- Medical evacuation — varies by plan; Alaska residents should verify carefully
Not covered
- Routine or preventive care abroad
- Dental or vision care internationally
- Pre-planned surgeries or medical tourism
- Prescription refills at international pharmacies
- Care in countries under US sanctions
The three things that actually matter.
Alaska residents can face $50K+ medical transport costs even within the US if specialty care requires Seattle or Anchorage. International scenarios stack on top of that. Evacuation coverage is a priority, not an afterthought.
Global Core Service Center, shared across all BCBS licensees. For emergencies, go to the nearest hospital first and call within 48 hours.
Global Core access in 190+ countries. Direct billing available at many international hospitals.
Six questions to ask your carrier.
Call 1-800-810-BLUE (2583) and ask these directly. Get the answers in writing — verbal confirmation doesn't hold up at claim time.
- Is medical evacuation covered on my specific Premera plan, and at what dollar limit?
- Is international emergency care covered at in-network or out-of-network rates?
- Is medical evacuation included, and if so, what's the dollar cap?
- Do I need pre-authorization for non-emergency international care?
- What's my out-of-network deductible and coinsurance for international claims?
- Is there a per-incident or annual cap on international coverage?
The five steps that actually work.
Most international claims fail because of missing documentation or delayed filing. Do these five things and you'll maximize what you get back.
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Call your carrier's assistance line first if possible
For non-emergency care, call before you go in. Many carriers with international assistance lines can locate in-network facilities and arrange direct billing. In an emergency, go to the nearest hospital first; call within 48 hours.
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Pay with a credit card
Credit cards create an audit trail and give you dispute leverage if the hospital overbills. Save every charge slip.
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Collect every piece of documentation
Itemized bill, medical report, diagnostic codes, discharge summary, and proof of payment. Ask the hospital for English-language copies — most international facilities will provide them on request.
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Submit the claim promptly
Most carriers require claim submission within 90–180 days. Include translated copies if your documents are in another language. Track the submission confirmation number.
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Expect partial reimbursement
Carriers reimburse at their "usual and customary" rates, which can be 30–70% less than what you paid. Plan on a gap. This is the single biggest argument for a supplemental travel policy that direct-pays the hospital instead.
What a typical claim looks like.
Premera PPO covered the emergency at out-of-network rates. Iceland's private hospital costs are high; you paid $28K upfront, filed a claim, and got back $18K after deductible and coinsurance. Net: $10K. For a Washington or Alaska member, a supplemental travel policy (~$60 for the trip) would have saved the $10K gap and added evacuation coverage.
Do you need supplemental?
Recommended — for Alaska members, essential. Premera PPO handles emergencies through Global Core, but Alaska's geography makes evacuation coverage critical. For any traveler, a supplemental policy with evacuation limits of $250K+ is the high-value buy.
Popular supplemental providers: World Nomads, GeoBlue (BCBS affiliated), IMG Global, Allianz Travel, Travel Guard. Expect $30–80 for a weeklong trip, $60–200 for a month, with higher rates for adventure activities or pre-existing condition waivers.
Where you're going.
Every country has its own healthcare reality. Our country-specific guides cover emergency numbers, pharmacy access, medication restrictions, vaccinations, and water safety.
Premera Blue Cross abroad, answered.
What we checked.
- Premera Blue Cross
- BCBS Global Core
- GeoBlue (BCBS supplemental)
- US State Department — Travel Insurance Guide
- NAIC — National Association of Insurance Commissioners
⚠️ This guide provides general carrier-level information and does not constitute insurance or medical advice. Coverage varies by plan, employer, state, and year. Always verify your specific coverage with your insurance carrier before traveling. This page is not affiliated with or endorsed by Premera Blue Cross.