Does My Plan Cover Services While Traveling Abroad?

Enrollees sometimes ask if their STRS Ohio plan covers services while traveling outside the United States. Before traveling to a foreign country, it’s important to check with your medical and prescription drug plan administrators to learn how your coverage will be affected while you are abroad. 

If your plan covers services outside the U.S., such as emergency services, you will need to pay the full cost at the time of service and submit a claim with a receipt to your plan for reimbursement. For your claim to be considered for payment, you will need to provide details including, but not limited to:

• Provider name
• Type of provider
• Date(s) of service
• Detailed description of service
• Amount you paid for service
• Evidence you paid for service

If the claim is accepted for payment, it’s not unusual that the payment will not cover the full cost of the claim. 

Because of limited or no coverage outside the U.S., some individuals consider purchasing travel medical insurance. Travel medical insurance is designed to help if you’re traveling outside the country where your U.S. health plan may not provide coverage. Since individual health and financial needs vary, this is a personal choice. 

If you have questions, please contact your plan administrator.