Before traveling to the Mainland, determine your medical plan type and review your Guide to Benefits to find out what plan benefits are available at your destination. Be sure to carry your HMSA membership card with you while traveling.

Emergency care

If you need emergency care on the Mainland, go to the nearest emergency room. For more information, read When to use the emergency room.

PPO plan members

Follow the directions below to find a BlueCard provider. If you receive services from a BlueCard participating provider, your benefit is similar to receiving health care from participating providers in Hawaii. You may see a nonparticipating provider, but your out-of-pocket cost may be significantly more. For more information, read Does My PPO Plan Cover Services on the Mainland? and Why Your Cost may be More when You See a Nonparticipating Provider.

HMO plan members

If you need urgent care, follow the directions below to find a BlueCard participating provider. Please note that you must arrange your urgent care appointment with BlueCard for the service to be covered. For more information, please read Does My HMO Plan Cover Services on the Mainland?

HMO plans don’t usually have benefits for routine care on the Mainland while traveling, but if you’ll be temporarily living away from Hawaii for more than 90 days, you may be eligible for our Guest Membership program.

How to find a participating provider on the Mainland

1. Visit BlueCard’s National Doctor and Hospital Finder or call BlueCard at 1-800-810-BLUE (2583). The BlueCard number is listed on your HMSA membership card for easy reference.
2. Call to make an appointment and confirm if that provider is a BlueCard participating provider.
3. Present your HMSA membership card at the participating provider’s office.
4. Be sure to contact your primary care provider when you return home so that your doctor can update your records and provide you additional care if needed.

Filing claims

All participating and most nonparticipating providers will file claims for you. If your nonparticipating or out-of-state provider doesn’t file a claim for you, follow the instructions in Filing medical claims for services from nonparticipating providers.

If you have questions about a plan type not mentioned or would like us to review your plan’s travel benefits with you, contact HMSA Customer Relations.