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Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS)-AXA
Through AXA, BCBS provides overseas claims payment and worldwide assistance.
Overseas claims for professional care, facility care, and dental care are paid by BCBS.
Through its Worldwide Assistance center, BCBS offers a network of participating
hospitals overseas that will file claims for inpatient facility care without an advance
payment for the covered services received. In addition, BCBS offers a network of
professional providers who have agreed to accept a negotiated amount as payment in full
for their services as well as offers help locating a hospital or physician in-network near a
destination point.
Compass Rose
Compass Rose offers reimbursement for medical services, both routine and emergency,
paid by the enrollee, in instances where the medical provider requests payment upfront.
In instances where the medical provider does not require upfront payment for services
provided, Compass Rose will process claims submitted as an out-of-network claim.
American Foreign Service Protective Association (AFSPA)
AFSPA offers medical coverage through direct arrangements with medical providers to
include direct arrangements with hospitals. In instances where there is no such
arrangement between AFPSA and the medical provider, AFSPA will reimburse upfront
payment.
It is highly recommend that civilians and dependents obtain health insurance to cover private
medical treatment and for medical evacuation to the United States in the event of an emergency.
Again, medical treatment and hospital care abroad can be expensive, and medical evacuation to
the United States can cost several thousand dollars. Medicare and Medicaid programs do NOT
provide payment for medical services outside of the United States.
Federal Employees Compensation Act (FECA)
FECA at 5 USC 8103 authorizes medical services needed to provide treatment or to counteract
or minimize the effects of any condition which is causally related to factors of Federal
employment. Federal employees are entitled to all services, appliances, and supplies prescribed
or recommended by qualified physicians who, in the opinion of OWCP, are likely to cure, give
relief, reduce the degree or the period of disability, or aid in lessening the amount of monthly
compensation. Medical care includes examination, treatment, and related services such as
hospitalization, medications, appliances, supplies, and transportation incident to securing them.
Preventive care may not be authorized, however. FECA covers all civilian Federal employees
except non-appropriated fund employees.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is insurance that is intended to cover medical expenses, financial default of
travel suppliers, and other losses incurred while traveling, either within one's own country, or
internationally. Temporary travel insurance can usually be arranged at the time of the booking of
a trip to cover exactly the duration of that trip, or a "multi-trip" policy can cover an unlimited
number of trips within a set time frame. Coverage varies, and can be purchased to include higher
risk items such as "winter sports". It is highly recommended that civilians contact their FEHB