Wherever you roam, MESSA has you covered

Anytime Sally Wolfer and her husband travel, she always takes her MESSA card to ensure they have excellent health care coverage when they’re away from home.

Sometimes the unexpected happens, like the time the couple went to Daytona Beach for Bike Week and he was injured in a motorcycle accident.
“He was hit by an automobile and dragged for a little while,” said Wolfer, a social studies teacher at Rolland-Warner Middle School in Lapeer. “We were so scared about him, but we were so scared about cost, you know? Because it costs so much to get an ambulance, to worry about going into a hospital for surgery. And MESSA’s great. They covered it all, just as if I was right here in Michigan.”

Wherever you go, MESSA has you covered. No matter where you are, MESSA members and covered dependents always have access to the largest network of providers in Michigan, as well as a vast network outside the state.

And if you forget your card, no problem. You can access your virtual MESSA card in your MyMESSA account or via the MESSA app.

“We like to travel, and so now knowing that MESSA is there for us when we need it no matter where we go is a true difference,” said Wolfer, a MESSA member for almost 30 years.

Domestic out-of-state coverage

MESSA participates with other Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) plans in the BlueCard PPO program, which offers medical benefits to members when they receive health care from BlueCard PPO providers outside their home state. Your applicable deductible, copays or coinsurance will apply.
If you or a covered dependent receive treatment in an accredited out-of-state hospital, just show your MESSA card. The hospital will send the bill directly to MESSA or to the local BCBS plan.

If you receive care from a non-Michigan provider, the doctor’s office will either bill the local BCBS plan or give you an itemized statement. Send your itemized statement to MESSA with a claims reimbursement form for reimbursement. You can find the form at messa.org/forms.

While it’s preferable to see an in-network provider, you may end up seeing an out-of-network provider while outside Michigan. In such cases, the local BCBS plan will apply benefits at your MESSA plan’s out-of-network level. However, if you need emergency care at a hospital or urgent care provider, your in-network benefits will apply. Your in-network benefits will also apply if you were referred to the out-of-network provider by an in-network provider.

Outside the U.S.

If you’re traveling outside the country, the Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Core program provides you with access to a special worldwide network of providers.

You can find participating providers by visiting bcbsglobalcore.com or downloading the Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Core mobile app, which can help you find care, translate medical terms and access local emergency information. You can also call 800-810-BLUE or call collect at 804-673-1177 if you need help finding a provider or facility.

Emergency care is covered no matter where you are. The hospital or urgent care center may require you to pay upfront. Be sure to save your itemized statement from the provider, and submit them along with a claims reimbursement form to MESSA for reimbursement.