Infectious Disease and Mental Health Specialists Bring Global Perspective.

GeoBlue, a leader and innovator in serving the health care needs of world travelers, is tapping the expertise of their experienced and reputable Regional Physician Advisors in more than 60 locations around the world to keep its members, and the public at large, educated on the Ebola Virus and its potential spread. GeoBlue consults regularly with specialists in fields from infectious disease to mental health to bring an alarmed populace the latest advice and guidance through its web sites and blog postings.

Dr. Vanya Gant, PhD, FRCP, FRCPath, a specialist in Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, is Divisional Clinical Director for Infection at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases in London, England. In addition to patient care, Dr. Gant develops new techniques and materials for combating infection. He has appeared in several public service television programs on matters of infection and microbiology, some of which he co-wrote.

He urges the public to remain calm and be vigilant: "It is very important to remember that you will not be at risk of Ebola infection unless you have been in close contact with people who are infected. You cannot catch Ebola from people who are well; however, patients who have recovered from the virus may still be infectious for a considerable period of time, so close contact, such as of a sexual nature, is risky." Dr. Gant has contributed "Ten Things You Need to Know About Ebola" for GeoBlue members.

Dr. Suzanne A. Black, Psy.D., is a clinical psychologist licensed in New York, California and in France and has served as professor of psychiatry at University of California, San Francisco Medical School. Currently, Dr. Black works with international patients in her private practice, specializing in medical psychology, cross cultural psychology and mood disorders.

Dr. Black recently posted an assessment of "Ebola panic" on http://www.healthytravelblog.com, finding that it arises from an emotional response to an existential threat: "When we selectively attend to a concept – such as Ebola in this case, a deadly virus which invokes fear – we direct our energies and focus on Ebola, and have a natural tendency to ignore and try to refute any information that serves as evidence against the threat of contracting it. We are then using our emotions to estimate the potential for risk of contracting the virus; this creates a misperception of risk. In order to calm the anxiety caused by these concerns, it is important to focus on the facts to dispel the myths that are being circulated and sensationalized by some media sources."

"GeoBlue is grateful for the leadership and courage that physicians and other healthcare professionals have demonstrated in the fight against Ebola," said GeoBlue's Chief Executive Officer, Angelo Masciantonio. "We hope that our reputation as experts in international healthcare helps convey important facts about Ebola to the public at large. With the timely distribution of expert knowledge we can manage the risks the Ebola poses."

GeoBlue members have access to GeoBlue's worldwide databases, downloadable app and mobile tools to stay abreast of unfolding health and security risks and to get the care they need from highly qualified doctors around the globe.

GeoBlue today announced the introduction of a new health insurance plan for individual expatriates and long-term international leisure and business travelers. GeoBlue Xplorer Select allows world travelers who are in the U.S. more than 35 days a year to meet the requirements of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) while enjoying robust coverage outside the U.S. With GeoBlue Xplorer Select, travelers retain their domestic coverage, but also have international benefits to help them access care from quality providers outside the U.S. This combined approach is often equivalent in cost to a high cover, no deductible expat plan.

Becoming a GeoBlue Xplorer Select member is simple and affordable: Applicants may qualify for shortform underwriting and they will not need to provide any medical records or detailed health questionnaires. The underwriting process will be expedited, the assigned rates will not be based on the health history of the applicant, and maternity coverage will be available on the plan effective date.

GeoBlue individual health plans combine unsurpassed service and mobile technology to help expatriates and travelers access trusted doctors and hospitals in over 180 countries. GeoBlue health plans meet all the requirements of state regulators in the U.S., providing buyers with products that meet mandates for benefits and provide important consumer protections when it comes to policy language, claims payment and appeals.

These plans are very competitively priced with those being offered by top carriers internationally. Other key GeoBlue services include:

• Appointment scheduling with contracted international providers with no out-of-pocket-costs;
• Outpatient care coordination, especially for chronic conditions and special needs;
• Inpatient case management and emergency evacuation;
• Mobile app for arranging access to trusted providers outside the U.S., finding brand name medications equivalents, translating key medical terms and phrases, and confirming eligibility for benefits.

"We are pleased to be offer a solution for the large segment of Americans who need to be compliant with ACA, but also want to travel abroad with the economic protection and high level of customer assistance that comes with all GeoBlue policies,” said Brendan Sharkey, Director of Individual Products for GeoBlue.

GeoBlue Xplorer Select is available online at https://www.geobluetravelinsurance.com as well as through selected insurance brokers.

About GeoBlue

GeoBlue is the trade name for the international health insurance programs of Worldwide Insurance Services, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Setting the industry standard, GeoBlue’s mission is to provide peace of mind to long- and short-term global travelers by offering competitive insurance protection and technology-powered assistance, including an elite community of thousands of carefully selected, contracted doctors and hospitals in almost every country in the world as well as its signature destination databases, mobile tools and concierge-level services. The scope of GeoBlue's services and technology creates a complete, reliable, convenient way to keep international travelers and expats healthy and productive.

International Private Medical Insurance Magazine is excited to announce GeoBlue, a leading global provider of expatriate health insurance plans, have renewed their annual advertising contract, for the 4th consecutive year.

Experts predict that global corporate travel and international assignments will increase 50% by 2020.

Now more than ever, employers are in need of health plans that will keep their traveling employees safe, healthy and productive on international short-term and long-term assignments.

GeoBlue® is a leader and innovator serving the needs of world travelers. GeoBlue group health plans combine unsurpassed service with state-of-the-art mobile technology to help expats, their families and business travelers access trusted doctors and hospitals all around the globe. 

GeoBlue®, a leader and innovator in serving the health care needs of world travelers, have announced the release of an update to the free member app for iOS, Android and Amazon Kindle devices.

GeoBlue plans combine concierge-level service and mobile technology to help expatriates and travelers identify, access and pay trusted doctors and hospitals in over 180 countries around the globe.

"GeoBlue is committed to providing convenient solutions that allow our members to manage their health care without the added stress of dealing with cumbersome administrative processes," says Liz Dunlavey, Managing Director for GeoBlue. "Today's expats and world travelers rely heavily on their mobile devices, so do our solutions."

The GeoBlue app allows members to travel the world with a convenient way to locate medical providers, request appointments and find local equivalents for over-the-counter and prescription medications. The latest update includes the following enhancements to make it even easier to connect to local quality care in any situation:

• Updated service request features, including the ability to arrange direct billing to secure cashless access for care
• Audio translations for medical terms and phrases in twelve languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish
• U.S. Embassy location and contact information
• Health and safety alerts detailing security and health issues around the world

The GeoBlue app is available to members through the App Store, Google Play and Amazon.com.

GeoBlue®, a leading provider of international health insurance for expatriates, announced today that it is introducing global employee assistance (EAP) and wellness coaching for its group members.

These services are offered in partnership with Workplace Options, the world's leading global employee effectiveness company. GeoBlue is the trade name for the international health insurance programs of Worldwide Insurance Services, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.

"GeoBlue selected Workplace Options based on the company's global reach, resources and track record for top notch service," said Rob Howard, Director of Group Product Sales for GeoBlue. "Our new global EAP and wellness coaching fully round out GeoBlue's outstanding wellness and counseling services for international assignees and their families."

Workplace Options' global EAP services are offered outside of the United States and include confidential counseling and support in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide. All calls are live-answered 24-hours a day by mental health professionals qualified to provide support for work, personal and family challenges. GeoBlue members also have access to extensive web-based content and services from Workplace Options at www.geo-blue.com.

What's more, Workplace Options collaborates with Mayo Clinic to deliver enhanced the wellness coaching services now offered by GeoBlue, including weight loss, tobacco cessation and stress management. GeoBlue also offers online wellness services such as health assessments and news, trends and advice on exercise, diet and stress reduction programming provided by the Mayo Clinic.

"We are very pleased to be offering our services through GeoBlue," said Dean Debnam, chief executive officer of Workplace Options. "As a global company committed to increasing employee effectiveness worldwide, this relationship will allow us the opportunity to improve the lives of thousands of expats and their families." GeoBlue began rolling out its global EAP and wellness coaching services to new and existing group expatriate health insurance members in October.

GeoBlue is the trade name for the international health insurance programs of Worldwide Insurance Services, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Setting the industry standard, GeoBlue's mission is to provide peace of mind to long- and short-term global travelers by offering competitive insurance protection and technology-powered assistance, including an elite community of thousands of carefully selected, contracted doctors and hospitals in almost every country in the world as well as its signature destination databases, mobile tools and concierge-level services.

The scope of GeoBlue's services and technology creates a complete, reliable, convenient way to keep international travelers and expats healthy and productive. GeoBlue provides group and individual health insurance plans. For more information on group plans, visit www.geo-blue.com.

For information on individual plans, visit www.geobluetravelinsurance.com. 

Workplace Options helps employees balance their work, family and personal life in order to make their lives healthier, easier and more productive. The company's world-class employee support and work-life services provide information, resources, referrals and consultation on a variety of issues ranging from dependent care, legal and financial issues to stress management and wellness.

Drawing from an international network of credentialed providers and professionals, Workplace Options is the world's largest integrated employee support services and work-life provider. Service centers in Raleigh, N.C., London, Toronto, Dublin, Singapore, Panama, and Tokyo support more than 42 million employees in over 32,000 organizations, across more than 200 countries and territories.

To learn more, visit www.workplaceoptions.com.

We will continue to see expansion in the high-tech, medical and educational markets. We are keeping an eye on the U.S. regulatory environment, which may eshape the domestic health insurance market over the next few years. A recent study projects that because of healthcare reform, 30% of U.S. employers are going to drop group health coverage in the years following 2014 when the Affordable Care Act takes effect. http://www.mckinsey.com/en/Features/US_employer_healthcare_survey.aspx

That sets the stage for the individual market to expand, and we will be there to serve the needs of individual expatriates. Geographically speaking, HTH will continue to partner and provide services in other global territories. Through our GeoBlue programs, we expect to have a significant expansion in blue cross and blue shield branded programs in other opportunistic markets.

Angelo Masciantonio CEO HTH Worldwide

GeoBlue is a leader and innovator serving the needs of world travelers. GeoBlue Expat® and GeoBlue Traveler® group health plans combine unsurpassed service and mobile technology to help you access trusted doctors and hospitals all around the globe. GeoBlue offers expatriate and traveler products in cooperation with participating Blue Cross Blue Shield companies. Select a state below to view a list of Blue companies and learn more about the expatriate and traveler product offerings.

Company: GeoBlue

Address: One Radnor Corporate Center Suite 100 Radnor, PA 19087 USA

Phone: +1 610 254 5300

Fax: +1 610 482 9953

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Web: https://www.geo-blue.com

Independence Blue Cross (IBC) announces the availability of GeoBlue Travel Medical and International Health Insurance products for individuals and families in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties. Since 2011, IBC and GeoBlue have collaborated to offer group coverage for international business travel and expatriate insurance products and services. This coverage is now available for both IBC members and the general public. The new IBC travel and expatriate plans offered through GeoBlue will expand the availability of Blue coverage for all travelers. As well, expatriates will be covered in both the country where they live and anywhere they visit.

For example, if a GeoBlue customer relocates to a European nation, but travels to Asia or Africa, the customer will have health care coverage in each destination. Additionally, GeoBlue policies are available for purchase for both single-trip purposes and multi-trip needs.

"Consumers who purchase GeoBlue products can travel with confidence knowing they are covered worldwide by the trusted Blue brand," said Richard J. Neeson, IBC executive vice president and president of expanding markets. "At IBC, we're working to help the residents of our region stay healthy and ensure that, when they do get sick, health care is safe, coordinated, and available -- no matter where they are in the world."

"GeoBlue provides peace of mind to world travelers and expatriates as they pursue their personal goals," said Brendan Sharkey, director of individual products at GeoBlue. "Given the global arc of business and leisure activities today, the need is clear: timely access to an international network of carefully selected doctors and hospitals to meet whatever health needs arise, and GeoBlue delivers."

In order to use GeoBlue for short-term travel insurance, consumers must have U.S.-based primary health coverage in place. However, that coverage does not need to come from a Blue Cross® or Blue Shield® health plan. GeoBlue is a trade name of Worldwide Insurance Services, LLC, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association and a subsidiary of Highway to Health (HTH). GeoBlue markets a full line of group and individual health insurance programs for expatriates and business travelers through arrangements with local Blue plans.

GeoBlue is a leader and innovator serving the needs of world travelers. GeoBlue Expat® and GeoBlue Traveler® group health plans combine unsurpassed service and mobile technology to help you access trusted doctors and hospitals all around the globe. GeoBlue offers expatriate and traveler products in cooperation with participating Blue Cross Blue Shield companies. Select a state below to view a list of Blue companies and learn more about the expatriate and traveler product offerings.

Company: GeoBlue

Address: One Radnor Corporate Center Suite 100 Radnor, PA 19087 USA

Phone: +1 610 254 5300

Fax: +1 610 482 9953

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Web: https://www.geo-blue.com