Going Abroad? Be Prepared.

map-of-the-world-2401458_1920Your Health Plan Now Covers Travel Immunizations

If you’re traveling internationally, a few precautions can help you avoid illness… and prevent bringing disease home with you. Your Health Plan now covers immunizations required to travel or live in a foreign country. For Active employees, the Plan pays 100%, no deductible required; Retirees pay 60%-80%, depending on their provider choice. Try these tips to stay healthy anywhere in the world:

  • Make your first stop the CDC Traveler’s Health page (cdc. gov/travel). View travel notices by country, type of travel, and traveler. You’ll see required and recommended vaccinations, along with information on prevalent illnesses and other potential hazards.
  • Visit your doctor at least four weeks before departure. Make sure routine vaccinations are up to date and get recommended travel-related immunizations.
  • Call Regence before you go. Ask about your international coverage through Blue Cross Blue Shield Global® Core. Download the app to search for in-network medical assistance outside the U.S. Remember to take your Health Plan ID card!
  • Take prescription medications in your carry-on bag. Also, pack over-the-counter medications and first aid supplies to be prepared for minor health issues, like upset stomach, insect bites and cuts.
  • Take insect repellent with you. Mosquito-borne illnesses, such as Zika virus, yellow fever, malaria, dengue fever and West Nile Virus are an issue in many countries.

When you return home, see a doctor if you develop a fever within 30 days, experience gastrointestinal issues for more than two weeks, or have any other concerns.

Global Travel Assistance Program

The Health Trust’s Life and AD&D carrier provides the Global Travel Assistance Program at no cost to Active employees and their dependents. That means you can obtain emergency medical, travel, and repatriation services 24 hours a day, anywhere in the world when you travel internationally or 100+ miles from home.

The program can help with pre-trip and emergency travel plans, replacing lost or stolen passports, and legal and translation services. If medical care is needed, the program helps with physician referrals, obtaining insurance and medical records, hotel arrangements during recovery, emergency evacuations and transportation after stabilization.

And that’s just a glimpse into all that the program offers! For details, please go to lifemapco.com/Members then Global Travel Assistance Program (under Group Plan Members).

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