Get care outside Kaiser Permanente areas

You’re covered for 24/7 virtual care anywhere in the U.S. And outside Kaiser Permanente states, you may be able to pay your usual copay or coinsurance for in-person urgent care at other providers — no need to file a claim for reimbursement later.1,2 

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Need care in a KP area?

You can get Kaiser Permanente care in many parts of CA, CO, GA, HI, MD, OR, VA, WA, and D.C.

Get care in a Kaiser Permanente area

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Use your digital ID card

Download our mobile app to access Kaiser Permanente care on the go.

Download the app

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Call the travel line

Speak with a customer service representative about your travel care options.

Call 951-268-3900 (TTY 711)3

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24/7 virtual care

Talk to a clinician 24/7 over video for quality care when you need it — no appointment needed.2

Get care now

 
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Urgent care

If you need care right away for an illness or injury that isn’t life-threatening, you may be covered for urgent care outside Kaiser Permanente.

How to get urgent care outside Kaiser Permanente areas

Option 1: Find providers with an easier payment experience

If there aren’t any Kaiser Permanente facilities in the state you’re visiting, you may be able to get urgent care without paying extra upfront. Your options depend on where you live and your plan type.

Option 2: Visit any urgent care provider and request reimbursement

Outside Kaiser Permanente states, most members are covered at any urgent care facility in the world. You may be asked to pay upfront and submit a claim for reimbursement later.4 

Note: Medicaid and Medi-Cal members are only covered for urgent care in the U.S. 

Learn more about travel costs and claims

 
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Emergency care in the U.S.

In the U.S., you’re covered for emergency care when and where you need it.1 If you believe you or a family member has an emergency medical condition, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital.

Always use the medical emergency services available where you are. If you think you need emergency care, make sure to call 911 or to go to the nearest medical facility. You don’t need to get Kaiser Permanente approval before receiving emergency care.

Once your condition is stable, you or the doctor treating you should call the number on the back of your ID card to let us know you’ve received urgent or emergency care and discuss next steps.3

If your doctor recommends more care after your condition is stable, you may need Kaiser Permanente approval for those services. Call us or have the doctor call us as soon as possible to make sure you’re financially protected for the care you need. To learn more about your plan’s preauthorization requirements, please check your Evidence of Coverage or other coverage documents. 

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International care

If you ever need immediate care when traveling internationally, go to the nearest medical facility. You’ll have to pay upfront for your care and submit a claim for reimbursement later.4,5

Always use the medical services available where you are. So, if you need immediate care, make sure to go to the nearest medical facility. You don’t need to get Kaiser Permanente approval before receiving urgent or emergency care.

Providers in many countries require payment before giving care. So, be prepared to pay upfront for your care and prescriptions and submit a claim for reimbursement later.4,5

For help coordinating your care or payment, you can call our travel line at 951-268-3900.3

Once your condition is stable, you or the doctor treating you should call the number on the back of your ID card to let us know you’ve received urgent or emergency care and discuss next steps.

You may need to get Kaiser Permanente approval before receiving:

  • Care after your condition is stable, or post-stabilization care
  • Transportation after your visit 
  • Outpatient follow-up care, like removing stitches or a cast

Be sure to confirm with the doctor treating you that Kaiser Permanente has approved your care. Depending on your coverage, we may choose a different provider to handle the services you need. 

When you return home, contact your personal doctor to discuss the care you received on your trip and how to manage your condition.

Note for people with Medi-Cal: Kaiser Permanente Medi-Cal members are only covered for emergency care in Canada and Mexico that requires hospitalization. If you have a Medi-Cal plan and are planning to travel internationally, you may want to consider travel insurance for extra health coverage.

Note for people with Medicaid: Kaiser Permanente Medicaid members and patients aren’t covered for care outside the U.S. If you have a Medicaid plan and are planning to travel internationally, you may want to consider travel insurance for extra health coverage.

 
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Prescriptions

You’re covered for prescription refills anywhere in the world.

If you have refills left on your prescription, you can get them filled at any pharmacy. For help finding a nearby pharmacy and transferring your prescription, call the travel line at 951-268-3900 (TTY 711).3 

Before going to the pharmacy, make sure you have the following information ready:

  • Your Kaiser Permanente medical record number 
  • Names and phone numbers for the prescribing doctor and your current pharmacy
  • Your prescribed medication’s name, strength, and directions for use

Once the pharmacy has this information, they’ll call us to confirm your prescription. You’ll need to pay for the medication at the pharmacy and file a claim for reimbursement later.4

Learn more about travel costs and claims.

FAQs

You’re covered for:

  • 24/7 virtual care across the U.S.2
  • Urgent and emergency care when and where you need it
  • Prescription drugs anywhere in the world

You’re not covered for routine care, like check-ups, preventive care, or vaccines. Make sure to get any routine care you need before your trip.

For more details about your plan’s coverage, please check your Evidence of Coverage or other coverage documents. Or call the travel line at 951-268-3900 (TTY 711).3

You’re responsible for any copays, coinsurance, or deductibles that apply under your plan. With some plans, you may owe the full cost of care. View your Evidence of Coverage or other coverage documents for more information. If you’re covered, when you pay for care depends on where you’re traveling.

  • In the U.S.: Outside Kaiser Permanente states, the facility where you get care may bill us directly. In some cases, you may have to pay the full cost of your care upfront and file a claim for reimbursement later.4 
  • Internationally: In many countries, providers require payment before you get care. So, you’ll have to pay for care at your visit and file a claim for reimbursement later.4,5 Costs can be high, so be ready to cover any unexpected expenses. You may want to get extra travel medical insurance for your trip.

If you need help coordinating your care or payment while traveling, call the travel line at 951-268-3900 (TTY 711).3

Learn more about travel costs and claims.

You can see your medical records, including your immunization history, by signing in to your account on kp.org or our app. Be sure to save or print any proof of immunization before your trip, because you won’t be able to access your kp.org account or our app internationally. 

To get immunization records for your kids under 13, you’ll need to create a caregiver account. If your kids are over 13, they’ll need to give you permission on their kp.org account to act as a family member so you can access their immunization records.

View your medical record.

 

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Footnotes

1If you believe you have an emergency medical condition, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital. For the complete definition of an emergency medical condition, please refer to your Evidence of Coverage or other coverage documents. 
2When appropriate and available. If you travel out of state, virtual care may be limited due to state laws that may prevent doctors from providing care across state lines. Laws differ by state. Video and phone services are offered at no additional cost for most of our health plans. With some PPO and high-deductible plans, a copay, coinsurance, or deductible must be met first before these services are provided at no additional cost. If you’re a Kaiser Permanente member in Oregon or Washington and have an HSA-qualified deductible plan, you’ll need to pay the full charges for e-visits, phone visits, and video visits until you reach your deductible. Once you reach your deductible, your copay is $0 for scheduled phone and video visits.
3This number can be dialed from both inside and outside the United States. Before the phone number, dial “001” for landlines and “+1” for mobile lines if you’re outside the country. Long-distance charges may apply, and we can’t accept collect calls. The travel line is closed on major holidays (New Year’s Day, Easter, Memorial Day, July Fourth, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas). It closes early the day before a holiday at 10 p.m. Pacific time (PT), and it reopens the day after a holiday at 4 a.m. PT.
4The amount you’re reimbursed will depend on what your copays or coinsurance are, whether you have a deductible, and other terms and conditions of your plan consistent with your Evidence of Coverage or other coverage documents.
5Some Medicare health plans cover emergency and urgent care only in the U.S. and its territories. Check your Evidence of Coverage to learn more about your plan.