International Health Insurance

For participants going on a study abroad program that leaves during the Winter 2022-2023 term and beyond

Education Abroad's travel Accident and Sickness Insurance

Every UCCS participant going abroad is automatically enrolled in Education Abroad's Travel Accident and Sickness insurance, which is a limited accident and health insurance policy. This insurance is mandatory for all participants and varies based on the type of program you go on. Most students are also covered under another insurance policy through their third-party provider (USAC, ISA, AIFS, etc.).. That insurance usually applies first in case of incidents and the Education Abroad insurance serves as a secondary policy.

Key Education Abroad insurance features:

• The cost of insurance is included in the program fee as listed below:
  • $150 short-term program education abroad non-refundable registration fee:  summer, winter, UCCS short-term programming abroad

  • $250 semester education abroad non-refundable registration fee:  fall or spring semester

  • $500 academic year education abroad non-refundable fee

• The policy covers evacuation and repatriation in case of medical and non-medical emergencies.

• The policy provides in-person and remote mental health support. 

• The Education Abroad insurance is managed by a third-party administrator that processes claims for the insurance company.

To use Education Abroad's health insurance, after consulting with on-site staff, call International SOS: +1-215-942-8478 (collect calls accepted worldwide) – when calling, reference member ID 11BCAS000006.

Standard Coverage Dates (excluding Independent Travel (University affiliated) and Faculty and Staff-Directed Programming Abroad (Short-term programs)
 

* Fall/AY programs that start in late June/July will have health insurance coverage beginning the 1^st day of the month in which the program begins, e.g. if the start date is June 23, coverage begins on June 1st.
** Spring programs that start in late December will have health insurance coverage beginning December 1st.
***Winter programs that start in December will have health insurance coverage extended to start in December.

Independent Travel (University affiliated)

Students will receive one month of coverage. Start and end dates depend on specific program dates.

Faculty and Staff-Directed Programming Abroad (Short-term programs)

Students will receive one month of coverage. Start and end dates depend on specific program dates.

Keeping Your Current Health Insurance Coverage

We recommend you maintain Affordable Care Act-compliant health insurance at all times, even during your time out of the country or state and even and while enrolled in Education Abroad's Travel Accident and Sickness Insurance. You should contact your insurance provider with any questions about your specific policy. Education Abroad does not sell insurance or in any way guarantee payment of benefits. Do not make any assumptions about your coverage, and maintain coverage at all times before, during, and after your program.

Additional Information

International SOS Medical & Travel Assistance Insurance Policy

• Membership ID Card
• Why Should I Call International SOS?
• Insurance Policy
  • 2022-2023 (Spring 2023)

Reimbursement Claims

In the event you sought medical treatment abroad for a minor accident or sickness and paid out of pocket for that treatment, please follow the instructions below to seek reimbursement for your claim:

• Complete your Claim Form
• Save copies of all itemized doctors' bills and be sure to include proof of payment (receipts)
• Scan and email everything to Global@gallagherstudent.com

Departing early and Dismissals While Abroad

If you need to leave the program early, you may qualify to use the trip interruption benefit in CU Education Abroad Health Insurance policy.

Know that if you withdraw from your program, your Education Abroad travel Accident and Sickness insurance coverage may be impacted.

In the event that you are dismissed from the program, your Education Abroad Travel Accident and Sickness insurance coverage may be cancelled. If you are dismissed while abroad, your Education Abroad health insurance coverage will end once you return to your home country. Upon return to your home country, a 30 day extension of coverage is available but only applies for follow-up care related to an insurance claim filed while abroad. You should secure alternative insurance if you choose to remain abroad and/or if you choose to return to your home country. While our insurance provider does not offer individual insurance policies, you may visit Insure My Trip to research possible coverage for the remainder of your stay abroad. Please understand these policies may not cover you while you are in your home country - consult with the insurance provider for exact coverage information.

Cancel For Any Reason Insurance

While not health insurance, you may also want to consider purchasing Cancel For Any Reason Insurance (CFAR/IFAR). CFAR insurance can help safeguard an investment in an education abroad experience in the event that the program is suspended or you unexpectedly need to withdraw - either before departing or while abroad.

Do I need International Travel Insurance?

This type of policy is a matter of personal choice. International Travel Insurance policies policies cover a wide range of items such as trip cancellation, unforeseen expenses due to delayed flights, delayed or lost luggage, etc. These policies often have many exceptions, so it is important to read the fine print carefully so that you understand exactly what is covered. You may wish to inquire about purchasing travel insurance with the airline company or travel agency through which you book your flight.

For participants going on a study abroad program that leaves through Fall 2022 (this includes AY 2022-2023 programs)

Mandatory International Health Insurance Policy

UCCS requires all students going abroad to have an International Health Insurance policy with the following minimum coverage:

• Minimum political evacuation and natural disaster ($100,000 USD)
• Minimum coverage per injury or sickness ($250,000 USD)
• Minimum repatriation of remains ($25,000 USD)
• Minimum medical evacuation ($500,000 USD)

Please review and ensure the policy you acquire has these minimums. Below are some additional questions to consider for an International Health Insurance policy. Considering such questions may feel difficult, but it is important to research and be prepared.

Review your policy carefully and consider these questions:

• What is covered and what is excluded?
• To what extent are preexisting conditions covered?
• To what extent is mental health care covered?
• What, if any, of your current prescriptions will be covered?
• What is the policy maximum?
• Will you be covered if alcohol is involved?
• Will you be covered for participation in sporting events or sport activities (i.e skiing, extreme sports)?
• At the core of any international policy are emergency evacuation services. What is the coverage level (we recommend the above minimums)?
• In the event that you are hospitalized, will the policy cover a visit by an immediate family member?
• Does the policy cover repatriation of mortal remains in the event of an extreme tragedy?

Faculty/Staff-Led Programs

Students participating on faculty and staff-directed programs are required to provide proof of international health insurance for the duration of their program dates through their UCCS Abroad portal. Some programs may already have insurance built in to the cost of the program. In this case students are not required to purchase an additional plan and will not be required to provide proof of international health insurance. 

For programs that do not provide an international health insurance plan you will need to purchase one based on the above listed mandatory minimums for international health insurance. You will need to upload proof of international health insurance to your UCCS Education Abroad application.

Exchange Programs (Semester, Academic-Year)

Depending on the country in which students are going, students may be required to any of the following:

• Enroll in the country's public health system/social security scheme
• Be required to purchase insurance through the foreign host university
• Be required to purchase a sufficient external international health insurance plan

Please note that the first two options would not be travel insurance and would only cover health situations in the country in which the student in studying. Therefore, it is recommended to also purchase an international health insurance policy. You will need to upload proof of mandatory international health insurance to your UCCS Education Abroad application.

3rd Party Programs (Semester, Academic-Year, Summer)

Most of UCCS' recommended 3rd party programs include international health insurance in the cost of their program fees. Please check with your program provider about the details for their international health insurance policy to ensure it meets UCCS mandatory international health insurance requirements. You will need to upload proof of international health insurance to your UCCS Education Abroad application.

THERE ARE 3 OPTIONS FOR PROVIDING PROOF: 

1. UCCS has partnered with International Student Insurance for international health insurance policy. All UCCS students participating on education abroad can purchase a policy via International Student Insurance on their website.

2. Secure coverage through your existing insurance provider, as long as it meets the above listed mandatory minimum insurance requirements

3. Purchase an international health insurance policy from a external provider. This policy needs to meet the above listed mandatory minimum insurance requirements. For a list of insurance providers for overseas coverage, visit the U.S. Department of State's website.

NOTE: Most international health insurance policies do not include trip cancellation protections. If you are interested in this type of coverage it is recommended that you purchase an additional policy for trip cancellation.