Your Health

Traveling abroad this summer? GeoBlue® has your health covered worldwide

July 24, 2025

The summer travel season is here. This year, 53% of Americans plan to take a vacation, making this year one of the busiest summers for travel since the pandemic.

If you’re planning an international trip, it’s important to consider healthcare options in case of an emergency. Other countries may not accept U.S. health plans, which could put both your health and finances at risk.

 
What to know before you go

When it comes to traveling abroad, *the vast majority of consumers say that access to affordable, quality medical care is just as important as booking a great place to stay or finding the best flights. Yet these same consumers also admit they don’t know how they would pay for medical treatment abroad should they need it.

Regular U.S. health plans with copays, deductibles and coinsurance typically don’t work with non-U.S. healthcare systems. In many cases, healthcare providers outside of the U.S. may expect to be paid in full at the time of service.

The good news is there are options to protect yourself. With international health plans, you can get the care you need without worrying about navigating unfamiliar healthcare systems or how to pay your bill.

 
Helpful benefits for traveling abroad

When it comes to choosing an international plan, a great first step is to go with an insurance plan you know and trust. Then, make sure the plan offers the following:

  • Coverage for medical care outside the U.S., enough to cover the worst-case scenarios
  • Coverage for pre-existing conditions
  • Access to quality providers who speak your language wherever you are in the world
  • Direct payment to providers and facilities so you don't have to pay upfront and submit a claim for reimbursement
  • Coverage for medically necessary evacuation to a quality facility and transport back home, if needed
  • Global telemedicine services so you can connect with a provider wherever you are in the world from your mobile device
  • Digital tools that make it easy to find providers, translate medical terms, find medicine equivalents, get security alerts and more

It's also important to ensure the plan offers service and support teams that are experienced working with international health systems, providers and claims.

 
GeoBlue could be the international health plan for you

GeoBlue is the only global health plan backed by Blue Cross® and Blue Shield®.

In addition to all of the benefits listed above, the GeoBlue mobile app helps you locate doctors and hospitals anywhere in the world, provides access to unlimited telemedicine visits, alerts you to local security and health issues and more. Plus, GeoBlue’s in-house medical assistance team is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

 
Learn more

To learn more about how GeoBlue could help give you peace of mind on your next trip, click here.

*(Source: International Travel Medical Insurance: Awareness, Usage and Perceptions, Harris Poll & GeoBlue, December 2022.)

GeoBlue is the trade name of Worldwide Insurance Services, LLC (Worldwide Services Insurance Agency, LLC in California and New York), an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. GeoBlue is the administrator of coverage provided under insurance policies issued by 4 Ever Life International Limited, Bermuda, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.