Frequently asked questions

Blue Cross Blue Shield Global is a brand owned by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association is an association of independent, community-based and locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies that, collectively, provide healthcare coverage for one in three Americans. It delivers health insurance coverage for over 116 million members across all 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Trusted for over 90 years, it is the oldest and largest family of health benefits companies in the U.S.

For more information on Blue Cross Blue Shield, refer to your customer documentation or visit the BCBS website.

Bupa Global is the worldwide Bupa business offering health plans to support employees, individuals and families. We provide our customers with premium international coverage that gives them direct access to world-leading specialists and medical providers at home or abroad. Bupa Global is part of Bupa, an international private health insurance company dedicated to helping people live longer, healthier, happier lives and making a better world.

For more information on Bupa Global, refer to your customer documentation or visit the Bupa Global homepage.

You can find out more about our partnership on the About our partnership webpage.

Please use the U.S. National Doctor and Hospital Finder to find a full database of treatment providers. If you have a product that requires pre-authorisation, please call the number on the back of your card. Access to this network is subject to the terms and conditions of your existing policy.

BlueHPN® is a national network in the U.S. consisting of carefully selected doctors, hospitals, and specialists. Providers are chosen based on recognised quality standards and their commitment to improving health outcomes.

Where is it available?

BlueHPN® is available in more than 68 major metropolitan areas across the U.S., including 20 of the largest cities. This network ensures comprehensive access to high-quality care in most major markets, providing you with peace of mind about your healthcare options.

What makes it different?

BlueHPN® emphasises quality in its design. The providers in this network are not just dedicated to delivering safe and effective care, but also to making you, the patient, the centre of their focus. Their strong performance in preventive care and chronic condition management, as well as their efforts to reduce avoidable hospital visits, all reflect this commitment to you.

Can I see a provider outside the network?

BlueHPN® is an Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO), which means your coverage only applies to providers within the network, except in emergencies.

How do I know if my plan includes BlueHPN®?

Check for the 'BlueHPN' indicator on your Blue Cross Blue Shield Global member ID card to confirm your access to the network.

Blue Distinction® Centers are medical facilities in the U.S. known for their expertise and consistent delivery of high-quality speciality care. Each center adheres to strict evaluation criteria developed with input from national medical experts and leading professional organisations.

Why choose a Blue Distinction® Center?

When you select a Blue Distinction® Center, you can be confident that:

• The facility you choose has undergone a thorough evaluation against stringent national quality standards, giving you the confidence that you're in good hands.
• Specialists are highly experienced and recognised for their expertise in their fields.
• Patient safety is our top priority, ensuring that your care is effective and well-coordinated, giving you peace of mind.

What types of care are included?

Blue Distinction® Centers focus on complex and high-impact medical specialities, including:

• Bariatric surgery
• Cardiac care
• Cellular immunotherapy
• Fertility and reproductive care
• Gene therapy
• Knee and hip replacement
• Maternity care
• Spine surgery
• Substance use treatment and recovery
• Transplants

What is the difference between Blue Distinction® Centers and Blue Distinction® Centers+?

Blue Distinction® Centers (BDC) are recognised for delivering high-quality speciality care. Blue Distinction® Centers+ (BDC+) meet the same standards and are also acknowledged for demonstrating strong performance in additional clinical measures.

Note: Designation as a Blue Distinction® Center means these facilities' overall experience and aggregate data met objective criteria established in collaboration with expert clinicians and leading professional organisations' recommendations. Individual outcomes may vary.

You don’t need a physical I.D. card. You can access U.S. network using digital Blue Cross Blue Shield Global or Blue Shield Global cards. Bupa Global customers can also obtain their I.D. cards via our MembersWorld portal, and Bupa Latin America and Bupa Mexico customers can visit My Bupa Latin America.

Subrogation is when we seek to recover medical costs from another party who may be responsible for your injury. This may happen if your medical expenses were due to incidents like car accidents or negligence, where another party is liable.

You may be contacted by Bupa Global to provide details about an incident related to a paid medical claim. Providing this information helps us manage healthcare costs by recovering expenses from the responsible party.

Please feel free to call us any time using the number on the back of your membership card.