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You must have adequate medical insurance that is valid abroad
in order to participate in VCU Education Abroad programs.
If you are attending a program sponsored by another university,
college or organization, that sponsor may provide insurance
as part of your program.
If you are included in a parent or spouse’s insurance
policy, make sure that the coverage provided is valid for
international study and travel. Insurance companies may require
verification of enrollment to maintain coverage. If your insurance
company requests documentation confirming your legitimate
full-time enrollment while abroad, please send the request
to VCU Education Abroad, Office of International Education,
916 W. Franklin Street, P.O. Box 843043, Richmond, VA 23284.
We will be happy to supply the necessary information to your
insurance company.
Make sure you are adequately covered
In today’s managed health care climate, it is important
to know what the benefits of your health insurance are when
you are out of your service provider’s area. In most
cases you will not have enough coverage for your trip abroad.
The health insurance that comes with the CIEE International
Student ID Card (ISIC) is not adequate for all your health
insurance needs. VCU Education Abroad can provide you with
information on policies specifically designed for students
who are studying out of the country. Remember that coverage
provided by a program or in a particular country may not be
valid until you arrive there and may not be valid outside
that country. You should be sure to have coverage prior to
departure and until after your program has ended.
Medical evacuation and return of remains
You should be sure your insurance covers costs related to
medical evacuation in case of illness and return of remains
in case of death. Medical emergencies may arise requiring
your return to the United States. The costs related to this
can be considerable and may not be covered under other health
insurance policies. Therefore, you should verify that you
would be insured for these important areas of coverage for
the period abroad. The CIEE International Student ID Card
(ISIC) provides such coverage (with limits) and is recommended
for all students.
What questions should I ask?
Because it is important to know what your existing insurance
covers, and deciding on the right coverage is often complicated
for both financial and personal reasons, you may find the
following list of “suggested insurance questions”
useful.
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Suggested Questions When Deciding on a Plan
Does the plan include hospitalization for accidents and illnesses
while abroad?
What is the maximum amount of coverage provided?
Are there deductibles? If so, what are they?
Will the plan include emergency room expenses?
What is the coverage for medical evacuation?
In the event of death, what is the coverage for return of
remains?
What do you do under the plan if you have to pay cash up
front and have no money?
Does the plan cover visits to the doctor or medication prescribed
while abroad?
What are the procedures for filing a claim, and how long
does it take to get reimbursed after filing?
When does the plan begin and end?
Does the plan have continuous coverage before, during and
after you go abroad?
Is the plan a primary or secondary carrier? If secondary,
when does the coverage begin?
Is there a booklet explaining the coverage in detail?
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Questions About the Plan You Select
What is the process for enrolling in the plan?
If you must use your insurance, what do you show as proof
of worldwide coverage?
If you obtain medical assistance while you are abroad, when
and how should you inform the agency?
What documentation of expenses is required? Does the bill
need to be in English and the amount of the charges in U.S.
dollars?
Other Types of Insurance
Baggage Insurance You may want to consider a simple policy
available at banks and travel agencies that will insure your
baggage. When you consider cameras, clothing and other incidentals,
your baggage is probably worth not less than $300 to $500.
Should you choose to have your baggage insured, you should
be covered from the time of your departure to the date you
return home. Your parents' homeowners’ policy may already
provide this coverage.
Travel Accident Insurance Banks and travel agencies also
have standard travel accident policies that cover accidental
death and medical and hospital costs. These policies are not
the same as air travel policies issued at the airport. Air
travel policies apply only to in-flight accidents.
Vaccinations and Certificates
It is vitally important to review vaccination requirements
and suggestions with your family physician prior to your departure,
particularly if you intend to study in a tropical environment.
Currently the only vaccination that can be required by law
is for yellow fever. However, there are a number of other
vaccinations that are worthy of your consideration to make
your study abroad experience a healthy one.
To view a detailed report from the Centers for Disease Control
on what might be appropriate for your destination, check out
Travel
Health Online. This site is updated daily with health
information relevant to countries from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe.
This information alone is not enough to determine which vaccinations
you should have, however. Please consult with your physician
and have a check up prior to your departure, to determine
the best course for your personal health circumstances.
Your exchange program also may provide you with pertinent
health-related information. Vaccinations should be recorded
on an “International Certificate of Vaccination”
card, available from passport offices, and be signed by a
medical official at the time of the vaccination.
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