S.C. INSURER ADDS EMERGENCY SERVICES:

Additional emergency medical and travel services have been offered by BlueCross BlueShield of Columbia, S.C., and Companion HealthCare to members with the company’s international BlueCard® coverage. These extra services are available for 30 days at no additional charge to BlueCard® members. An emergency message center, emergency cash transfer assistance, lost document assistance, travel assistance, and increased access to emergency medical assistance have all been added to the usual coverage. The BlueCard® Worldwide Program assists members of Blue Cross and/or Blue Shield licensees traveling or living outside the United States to obtain medical care services and provides access to thousands of healthcare providers worldwide. BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina is also matching employee contributions to the Red Cross for the tsunami relief effort. For every dollar contributed by employees, the company will contribute two more dollars. BlueCross has 13,000 employees in South Carolina and other states.