Living Outside the U.S.

U-M Health Plans

U-M offers health plan coverage to employees and retirees living abroad. Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) health plans provide international medical coverage through its BCBS Global Core Program. Health plan options include, BCBS Community Blue PPO and BCBS Comprehensive Major Medical.  

If you are Enrolled in U-M Premier Care 

If you are currently enrolled in U-M Premier Care and will be moving outside of the U.S., you must enroll in a different U-M health plan. U-M Premier Care provides coverage for emergency care when traveling abroad, but reserves the right to deny claims and terminate coverage if you live outside of Michigan for 60 days. Please complete the Moving Out of a Managed Care Service Area eForm or the Moving Out of a Managed Care Service Area downloadable form within 30 days of your relocation. 

Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Core Program

If you are living outside of the U.S., the Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Core Program will assist you in accessing covered health care services. This program provides access to a worldwide network of inpatient, outpatient and professional providers and claims support services. 

Global Core will process your claims according to your benefit plan, including covered services, copays, coinsurance, and deductibles.

Some services may require prior authorization. It is your responsibility to contact your health plan to ensure prior authorization is secured by your provider prior to services being rendered.

Medical services are reimbursed at the Global Core fee schedule for participating Global Core providers. Global Core providers agree to this fee schedule. Non-participating providers do not have these agreements, so they may charge you more than Global Core will reimburse. If using non-participating providers, the additional cost is your responsibility.   

It is important to contact the Global Core service center prior to receiving care so they can review your benefits, assist with finding participating providers, and arrange for direct payment (cashless access/guarantee of payment) in advance, if required. 

Outpatient and Professional Services

If you do not contact the service center to arrange services prior to receiving care, you will be expected to pay at the time you receive care. 

Emergency Services 

In the case of an emergency, you should go to the nearest hospital. If you are admitted, follow the process for inpatient hospital services. If you are not admitted to the hospital, you must pay for all professional and outpatient services at the time they are provided.

Inpatient Hospital Services

If you need to be admitted to a hospital as an inpatient, call the service center to arrange for cashless access with a participating hospital. In most cases, the hospital will not require you to pay up front, except for your plan’s cost-share. The hospital will file the claim with the service center for you.

For all services rendered, you are responsible for:

  • In-network deductible(s), copayment(s) and coinsurances
  • Payment of noncovered services 

If you did not secure cashless access prior to receiving care, in addition to the above, you are also responsible for: 

If you have questions or need assistance outside of the U.S., visit BCBS GlobalCore or call the service center at 1-800-810-BLUE (2583), or call collect at 1-804-673-1177. Help is available 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week. For ease of use while traveling, download the Global Core Mobile App from the app store to connect with quality care providers across the globe.

Medicare Coverage When Living Abroad

If you are 65 or older and qualify for Medicare, you can enroll in Medicare parts A and B, also known as Original Medicare, either before or after you leave the U.S. Since most people pay no premium for Part A coverage, it is usually best to keep Part A, even if you are moving abroad, because it is free. If you do not qualify for premium-free Part A, you may be able to enroll only in Medicare if you live in the U.S.

To have Part B coverage, you must pay the monthly Part B premium. You may want to keep Part B if you plan to move back to the U.S. in the future or visit frequently, because paying the premium to keep Part B when abroad will ensure that Medicare will cover your care whenever you travel to the U.S., and that you will not face premium penalties or gaps in coverage.

Medicare Advantage plans cover emergency care when traveling outside of the U.S., but they do not provide comprehensive coverage when living abroad because you are required to live in the Medicare Advantage service area. Medicare Advantage service areas are located only within the U.S. If you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan and are planning to move outside of the U.S., please contact the Shared Services Center - HR Customer Care at (734) 615-2000 or (866) 647-7657 (toll-free) or email [email protected] to discuss your plan options.

Prescription Drugs

Request Extra Refill(s) Prior to Leaving 

If you need extra medications before moving, one extra month refill of your prescriptions can be requested by contacting Prime Therapeutics at (888) 272-1346. If you need a supply for more than an extra 34 days, contact the SSC - HR Customer Care at (734) 615-2000 at least a week before leaving the country. Before calling, make sure your pharmacy has a prescription with enough refills for the duration of time requested.

Approval Required to Purchase Prescription Drugs Abroad

Regular purchasing of monthly supplies outside the U.S. for plan members who live outside the U.S. must be pre-approved by the U-M Prescription Drug Plan. Standard coverage policies and copayments apply. Reimbursement will be limited to the cost of the medications in the U.S. at the exchange rate on the purchase date. Contact the SSC - HR Customer Care at (866) 647-7657 (toll-free) or by email at [email protected] for more information about the pre-approval process. Submitting requests to Prime Therapeutics without obtaining pre-approval will result in claim denials.

Dental Plan

If you are enrolled in U-M's Dental Plan, you are covered by the Delta Dental passport program for dental care. When outside of the U.S., call AXA Assistance collect at (312) 356-5971 to receive a referral through an English-speaking operator. You must identify yourself as a Delta Dental enrollee when you call. The operators are available 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week. Your dental plan coverage outside the U.S. is the same as your coverage within the U.S. Please note that AXA Assistance dentists are considered non-participating.

When you receive dental care outside the U.S., you will be required to pay for the services at that time, then file a claim with Delta Dental for reimbursement. Present the Delta Dental claim form to the non-participating provider at the time services are provided so they can complete applicable sections of the claim form. Be sure to get an itemized receipt for all dental services you receive. 

The receipt should include the dentist's name and address, the services performed, and an indication of which tooth or teeth received treatment. It should also note if the dentist's charges were billed in U.S. dollars or the local currency. Make a copy of your receipts, and send the originals along with the completed Delta Dental Claim form following the instructions on the form. Delta Dental will reimburse you subject to the terms and conditions of your existing Delta Dental coverage. The reimbursement may not cover your entire cost.

Vision Plan

If you are enrolled in the Davis Vision by MetLife Plan and receive services from a non-participating provider, you will be required to pay for the services at that time, then file a claim with Davis Vision for partial reimbursement. Before your appointment with a non-participating provider, download and print a Davis Vision Direct Reimbursement Claim Form. Present the claim form to the non-participating doctor or laboratory at the time services are provided so they can complete applicable sections of the claim form.

Keep a copy of the claim form and your receipt for your records. Mail the completed and signed claim form with your itemized receipt to the address listed on the claim form. A check will be sent to your home address to reimburse you up to the allowable expenses listed under Vision Plan Coverage and Copays.

Legal Services Plan

If you are enrolled in the Legal Services Plan, you may select your own non-participating attorney by advising the MetLife Legal Plans client service representative. Call the MetLife Legal Plans Client Service Center at (800) 821-6400, Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Eastern Time. MetLife Legal Plans will reimburse you for these non-participating attorney's fees in accordance with a set fee schedule.

Flexible Spending Accounts

Drugs or medicines purchased outside the U.S. and brought or shipped to the U.S. are not legal and therefore not eligible for reimbursement from your Health Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA).

Long-Term Disability Plan

U-M’s long-term disability plan benefits are distributed in the same manner whether you live in the U.S. or abroad. A reminder: You are still required to abide by the terms of the plan, including providing updated medical documentation at least annually to confirm your continued eligibility. If you are enrolled in other university benefit plans, the rules of service for each respective plan apply.

Retirement Savings Plans

TIAA and Fidelity Investments have international reach and are fully capable of administering your financial investments while you are briefly out of the country, or if you permanently relocate to another part of the world. Contact TIAA and Fidelity before you leave the U.S. to ensure you have information for international contact by phone, internet and mail. Address any questions about taking distributions from your account while abroad to a qualified financial adviser.

Schedule a virtual, phone or in-person consultation in the U.S. with TIAA and/or Fidelity:

Keep Your Address Up-to-Date

If you move to a new address – in the U.S. or in another country – be sure to keep your address up-to-date with the university. See Remember to Update Your Address for details.

Update Your Beneficiaries

When evaluating any financial asset, make sure your beneficiary information is current for your retirement accounts and life insurance policies. It takes just a few minutes – and can save considerable money, stress and family strife.