Before you leave on vacation
- If you take medications, make sure you have enough for your trip. You may want to request an additional supply for your vacation or check whether you can use your plan's retail or mail order pharmacy while you're away.
- Carry medications in their original container, and keep them with you - not packed away in a suitcase that could be lost.
- Keep your health insurance card in your wallet and put a copy in your suitcase, in case your wallet is lost or stolen.
- Visit your plan's website for travel information; some medical plans have travel kits.
- Check with your medical plan about an urgent care center in your vacation area. Many centers have doctors, nurses and x-ray facilities on site, and they cost less than an emergency room visit.
While you are away
- In the U.S., always call 911 if you need immediate medical care.
- Medical plan nurse advice lines are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week; call them for medical advice and guidance.
- UC's dental plans cover the cost of emergency and office visits for pain relief.
- All of the medical plans have toll-free numbers you can call if you have questions; the number is on the back of your health insurance card.
- If you're in Health Net, Kaiser Permanente, Western Health Advantage or the Anthem Blue Cross PLUS plan and you get emergency treatment, call your plan or primary care provider as soon as possible to report the emergency.
If you travel outside the U.S.
- All UC-sponsored medical plans cover emergencies. Generally, you will need to pay for the care at the time you receive services and then file a claim for reimbursement. Be sure to call your plan as soon as possible to report the emergency care.
- Be sure you know how to contact your medical plan. Depending upon your vacation site, UC plans may have international toll-free numbers or you can call collect.
- Visit your plan's website and booklet for information on coverage while traveling overseas.