Providers at UI Health Care

A provider works with each patient to develop a comprehensive and coordinated health care plan. When care is provided at UI Health Care, residents and medical students may play a role in the individual's care. When an individual is hospitalized, residents and medical students are an integral part of the staff that provides support for treatment by the faculty.

Away from Iowa City Care

• An individual travels, and a medical service is provided in a hospital emergency room.
• An individual is temporarily living somewhere else for longer than 30 days.

Emergency

Care for an accident or emergency will be covered as if the incident had happened in Iowa City, as long as services provided were in a hospital emergency room setting. An emergency can be considered a medical condition that a prudent layperson (with an average knowledge of health and medicine) could reasonably expect to result in serious jeopardy to a person's health in the absence of immediate medical attention. 

Out of Area

For covered individuals who are temporarily living away from the Iowa City area for 30 days or more:

• You must send an email notification to the University Benefits Office both before you leave and upon your return to Iowa City.
• You can find a participating provider through the National Provider Locator. Select "BlueCard Traditional" from the Choose Your Network dropdown box.

Care provided by non-participating providers may incur higher costs for you. Non-participating providers do not have contracts with Blue Cross and Blue Shield. They do not agree to accept payment arrangements and are not responsible for filing claims on your behalf. Non-participating providers may charge more for health care than participating providers. Payment is made to you, and you are responsible for paying the provider. Non-participating providers can bill you for the difference between what Blue Cross and Blue Shield will pay for a service and what they charge (balance billing).

Furthermore, when health care necessitates hospital admission in situations other than emergencies or accidental injuries, prior approval must be secured by calling the Plan's toll-free number.

Out-of-country: If covered services are needed in a country other than the United States, it is advisable to contact Blue Cross and Blue Shield for assistance in locating the closest participating provider in that country.

BC International Provider Locator