S.C. Insurer Provides Overseas Medical, Travel Services; Matches Employee Red Cross Contributions

Additional emergency medical and travel services have been offered by BlueCross BlueShield of Columbia, S.C. and Companion HealthCare members holding the company’s international BlueCard® coverage.

These extra services are available for 30 days and available at no additional charge to BlueCard members. Added to the usual coverage is an emergency message center, emergency cash transfer assistance, lost document assistance, travel assistance, and increased access to emergency medical assistance.

Core medical services already covered under BlueCard include arranging inpatient hospitalizations, obtaining member eligibility and benefits from BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, conducting medical monitoring, arranging cashless access with hospitals, and sending guarantee of coverage letters to hospitals.

The BlueCard Worldwide Program assists members of Blue Cross and/or Blue Shield licensees traveling or living outside of the United States to obtain medical care services, and provides access to thousands of healthcare providers worldwide.

In addition, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina is matching employee contributions to the Red Cross for the tsunami relief effort. For every dollar contributed by employees, the company will contribute two more dollars. BlueCross has 13,000 employees in South Carolina and other states.