Benefits While You Travel

Domestic Travel

The UT SELECT Medical plan through Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) of Texas provides access to one of the largest networks of contracting doctors and hospitals in Texas. There are more than 45,000 contracting physicians and specialists and over 400 contracting hospitals in Texas alone. If you are traveling outside of Texas, there are even more BCBS Network providers from which to choose. In fact, more than 85 percent of all doctors and hospitals throughout the United States contract with BCBS. If you use a network physician or hospital throughout the United States, your benefits will be the same robust benefits you enjoy in Texas or if you reside outside of Texas, the benefits you enjoy as an out-of-area participant.

To find a network physician or specialist near you, search online at www.bcbstx.com/ut or contact BCBS of Texas Customer Service toll-free at 1 (866) 882-2034.

To assist you in summarizing your network, out-of-network, and out-of-area benefits, you may review the Benefits Summary Chart.

Benefits Summary Chart (.pdf)

International Travel

When you travel abroad, always carry your UT SELECT Medical Identification Card which has the telephone number to the BlueCard Worldwide® program, and contains important information about your plan. With BlueCard Worldwide®, you have access to a large number of hospitals on almost every continent and to a broad range of medical assistance services.

BlueCard Worldwide® provides the following services to UT SELECT Medical Participants:

  • Provider location
  • Referral information
  • Medical monitoring
  • Wire transfers/overseas mailing
  • Translation
  • Coverage confirmation
  • Currency conversion

Call BlueCard® Access toll-free at 800-810-BLUE (2583) or call collect at 804-673-1177, 24 hours a day, seven days a week to locate a participating physician or hospital.

You may also visit www.bcbsglobalcore.com and enter “UTS” to search for participating physicians and hospitals at your destination. In some instances participating physicians or hospitals will submit your claim on your behalf. You may also contact your Institution Benefits Office or download and print the Benefits Summary Chart (.pdf) for benefit details.

On Call International 

As an international traveler, additional services are available through the UT System-wide On Call International program. On Call International is a 24/7 emergency assistance provider with an international network of medical and security professionals available any time to assist you.

They can offer advice, connect you with resources, and work with you to make sure you receive the care and support you need both before and during University sponsored international travel. Services are available at no cost to individuals on official university business. 

For additional information regarding the On Call International program, please contact the UT System Office of Risk Management.

How UT SELECT Medical and On Call International Assistance Work Together for Official International Business Travel

BCBSTX has agreed to a direct billing arrangement with On Call International where they pay case fees and do not charge copays or deductibles regardless of in- or out-of-network, if care is medically emergent/necessary and otherwise covered. (Please note, this does not include routine medical procedures.)

If On Call International is not called first, or for non-emergent treatment, regular UT SELECT medical benefits will apply. Covered Individuals are responsible for paying non-BlueCard Worldwide providers, hospitals or clinics at the time of service and are required to complete an international claim form and send it with any bill(s) to the BlueCard® Access Service Center. The claim form is available online at www.bcbstx.com/ut.

Click on the button below to view a quick reference guide outlining On Call International and UT SELECT Medical coverage for UT Employees. As always, if you are abroad and in need of immediate assistance, contact the On Call International 24/7 Global Response Center via phone, live chat or email:

Quick Reference Coverage Chart (.pdf)

What Qualifies as Official International Business Travel?

UTS 190 - International Travel Policy defines University-sponsored travel. All University-Sponsored Travel to any international location, regardless of risk level, must be registered with UT System’s contracted emergency assistance provider, On Call International, prior to departure.  Learn more here.

Working remotely or telecommuting from overseas to a “place of work” in the U.S. does not meet international travel criteria in UTS 190 and is therefore ineligible for On Call International assistance services and the billing arrangement with BCBSTX. Regular UT SELECT Medical benefits will apply.

Situations involving employees with long-term appointments overseas for business or research needs (e.g., CERN) will be approached on a case-by-case basis, with input from the respective institution, to determine eligibility for On Call International assistance services and the billing arrangement with BCBSTX.

Prescription Drug Coverage

International drug claims are submitted and processed in the same manner as domestic claims received from a non-network pharmacy. After you purchase your prescription while traveling internationally, you should submit a claim form and receipt. Be sure to include all the member and patient information, including your Benefits Identification Number, along with the drug information, the currency used, and country of purchase. Once the claim is received by Express Scripts, the claim will be entered into the system and subject to eligibility and edits, including drug coverage and plan design. The National Drug Code used by Express Scripts is specific to foreign claims, and prices at 100% of the amount submitted (converted to United States dollars). Express Scripts will then apply a reduction in the reimbursement by the appropriate copayment. To calculate the converted value, Express Scripts uses the services of a financial website that provides the exchange rate in effect when the prescription was filled.

Due to FDA regulations, Express Scripts Home Delivery is unable to ship prescription medication internationally. Be sure you have an adequate supply of medication to take with you. You may also call Express Scripts Customer Service at 1 (800) 818-0155 to request a Vacation Override and receive an extended supply of medication prior to departure.

Your UT Dental Benefits

For the UT SELECT Dental and UT SELECT Dental Plus plans, Delta Dental provides the same level of dental benefits while traveling in the United States or Internationally. Members may be required to pay out-of-pocket for services and submit a copy of the receipt to Delta Dental to receive a refund. For questions, please call Delta Dental Customer Service at 1 (800) 893-3582.

The DeltaCare USA plan is limited to emergencies outside of Texas and the United States unless you are seeking routine care from your Primary Care Dentist within Texas. For assistance, please call 1 (800) 443-2995.

Dental Benefits for International Travel

DENTAL SERVICE UT SELECT Dental UT SELECT Dental Plus DeltaCare

International

Delta Dental provides the same level of dental benefits while traveling in the United States or Internationally. Members may be required to pay out of pocket for services and submit a copy of the receipt to Delta Dental to receive a refund. The DeltaCare Plan is limited to emergencies outside of the United States or when care is received from a provider that is not your Primary Care Dentist.

Service Area

Available Nationwide and Puerto Rico, non-network providers are available internationally
Maximum Annual Benefit $1,250 $3,000
Annual Deductible $25 per Person None
Oral Exam, X-rays, Cleaning $0 $0
Fluoride Treatment $0, up to age 19 $0, up to age 19
Sealants $0, up to age 14 $0, up to age 14
Space Maintainers $0, up to age 14 $0, up to age 14
Fillings add 20% up to maximum allowed by plan Fully paid by plan
Extractions add 20% up to maximum allowed by plan Fully paid by plan
Root Canals add 20% up to maximum allowed by plan Fully paid by plan
Periodontics add 20% up to maximum allowed by plan Fully paid by plan
Crowns, Jackets and Cast Restorations add 50% up to maximum allowed by plan add 20% up to maximum allowed by plan
Bridges and Dentures add 50% up to maximum allowed by plan add 20% up to maximum allowed by plan
Orthodontics 50%, $1,250 Lifetime benefit per person add 20% up to maximum allowed by plan, $3,000 Lifetime benefit per person
Out-of-Network Benefits Yes Yes
Claim Form Mailing Address Delta Dental Insurance Company
P.O. Box 1809
Alpharetta, GA 30023-1809
Delta Dental Insurance Company
P.O. Box 1809
Alpharetta, GA 30023-1809
DeltaCare USA Claims
P.O. Box 1810
Alpharetta, GA 30023-1810

Vision

Superior Vision and Superior Vision Plus will provide coverage for eligible out-of-country services and products on an “out-of-network” basis only. In case you have a need to replace glasses, lenses, or contacts while you travel, we recommend you take a copy of your vision prescription with you when traveling. You will pay the provider in full at the time of service and submit an itemized invoice or receipt to Superior Vision. Reimbursement is based on the foreign currency exchange rate at the time of service. Reimbursement is in equivalent United States dollars only. Reimbursement will be mailed to the address you list on the claim form. For assistance, please contact Superior Vision Customer Service at 1 (800) 507-3800.