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: 

• Submitting the International Claim Form(s), including copies of your medical record, the itemized bill and proof of payment along with the claim form 

  • Forms are available from Blue Cross Blue Shield, the U-M Health Plan Forms and Documents web page, or online at bcbsglobalcore.com.

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.