Human Resources

Travel Smart: Benefits on the Go

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Benefit Resources to Help with Your Travel Plans

Summer travel is a great opportunity to recharge—but also a good time to review your benefits in case you or a loved one needs medical care while away from home. Missouri State University provides helpful resources to support your health, safety, and peace of mind while traveling.

Wrap Network: Your Travel Health Safety Net

If you’re traveling outside your primary coverage area, wrap networks under MSU’s medical plan help extend in-network benefits. These networks include:

✅ Living in the Mercy Southwest Missouri network area?
Contact Med-pay for prior authorization before using wrap providers. You may need a referral to ensure coverage.

✅ Living outside the service area?
Use wrap network providers for PPO-level benefits—no prior authorization required if your address is on file with Med-pay.

❌ Don’t just ask if a provider “takes Med-pay.” Always confirm they participate in your specific wrap network.

Learn more about wrap networks →

Traveling and have a Mercy Provider?

If you’re a patient of Mercy, MyMercy lets you access your health info on the go. View test results, request refills, message your provider, and share records with other care teams.

Stay connected to your care—wherever you are.

ER or Not? Know Where to Go

Avoid unnecessary emergency room visits by choosing the right level of care:

🚑 When to Go to the ER

Emergency symptoms include chest pain, trouble breathing, stroke symptoms, major injuries, or severe bleeding.

In-Network ER Copays
Buy-Up Plan: $250 | Base Plan: $500

⚕️ For Non-Emergencies:

Choosing the Right Level of Care →

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Travel Support

🧳 Mercy EAP Travel Planning Tools

All employees (and household members) have access to the Mercy EAP site, which includes travel planning tips like:

  • Health risk assessment by destination
  • Traveler’s checklist
  • Pet travel considerations
  • Safety planning and more

🔐 Username: MSU
🔐 Password: MSU
🔗 Mercy EAP Website →

✈️ UNUM Travel Assistance

For full-time employees have access to MSU’s UNUM EAP, travel assistance is available when you’re 100+ miles from home, including:

  • Emergency medical evacuation
  • Hospital admission coordination
  • Interpreter and legal referrals
  • Passport and document replacement
  • Transportation for family members if you’re hospitalized away from home

Other Travel Tools

💳 Visa Travel Cards (ECCU)

Available through the Educational Community Credit Union, this reloadable card protects against fraud and can be used anywhere Visa is accepted. Great for budgeting and safer than carrying cash.

  • Load up to $3,000 for travel needs
  • Protects against fraud and account depletion
  • Reload anytime for just $2.95
  • Lost cards are quickly replaced by Visa
  • $5 initial purchase fee; card is valid for two years
  • Available for purchase at either ECCU location

Stay Informed

📌 HR Blog – Benefits, events, and updates
📌 Wellness Blog – Health resources and tips

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