F.A.Q. Insurance

IS INSURANCE INCLUDED IN THE NRCSA PROGRAM COST?
Yes

WHAT ARE THE DATES OF COVERAGE?
Coverage is for your prepaid Academics Abroad program study dates (the day before your first day of class through the day after your last day of class abroad).

MAY I EXTEND THESE DATES?
Extended coverage before/beyond study dates is available for up to a total of 90 additional days at a cost of $5/day or $19/week or $65/month, whichever is less.  Request extensions in writing at least 2 weeks before initiating travel specifying first and last day of coverage desired.  Extended coverage may be charged to your credit card.

WHAT IS THE GEOGRAPHIC COVERAGE?
Worldwide outside country of origin.  (If departing from the USA, you are covered in all countries EXCEPT the USA).  Once you return to your country of origin, the insurance terminates.

DO I HAVE TO ORIGINATE IN THE USA?
No, you may originate anywhere - Americas, Asia, Europe, etc.  Medical evacuation is to the nearest appropriate medical facility.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I HAVE PROBLEMS ENROUTE?
You are covered if the problem occurs outside your country of origin and within covered dates.  Remember this is secondary insurance which means it supplements your other insurance (if you have other insurance).

ARE THERE LIMITATIONS?
Yes, read the policy for the entire list.  A few sample exclusions include a) previously existing conditions (conditions for which you have been previously treated and which reoccur), b) suicide, c) pregnancy related, d) congenital anomalies, e) related to motorcycle driving, scuba, skiing, sky diving, piloting aircraft, professional sports, f) elective or cosmetic surgery and dental care (unless related to accident coverage) etc.  Denial of coverage is rare but could happen.

WHAT DOES INSURANCE INCLUDE?  Up to:
$10,000 Accident, deductible $100
$10,000 Sickness, $100 deductible
$25,000 Medical Evacuation, no deductible
$5,000 Emergency Reunion (if serious condition, having family join you)
$7,500 Repatriation (transportation of corpse)
$5,000 AD&D (death)
All are backed-up by a 24:7 worldwide emergency multilingual hotline.  See policy for details.

HOW DOES IT WORK?
If you have a serious problem, have a question or concern, or need a physician referral or coordination of medical records, call the Emergency Hotline collect from anywhere in the world 24 hours a day.  Their specialists routinely handle emergencies for government and corporate personnel, universities and others.  Draw on their experience if needed.

WHAT IS MEDICAL EVACUATION?
Transportation by licensed providers to medical facilities which can deal with your condition.  EXAMPLE: If you are struck by a vehicle in a remote location, you may need transport to a facility having a fully staffed emergency room.  If you become ill and the condition cannot be diagnosed, you may need transport to city having better lab facilities for more sophisticated testing.  Medivac could be within country to a better medical facility or to a nearby country with better facilities, or back to your home country, depending on the condition and part of the world where the problem occurs.  Evacuation is normally to the nearest appropriate medical facility - which may not be back to your home.

WHO PAYS THE BILLS?
Technically, you pay medical providers, get a receipt, and apply for reimbursement .  EXAMPLE: you have a cut and need it cleaned and perhaps stitches.  See a physician, have it treated, pay locally and get a receipt for reimbursement (less deductible).  If there is a serious condition treated by a larger provider capable of receiving international payment, often the insurance will be paid directly to the hospital or provider.  EXAMPLE: a large hospital or air evac service can typically deal with international payments whereas a local physical or dentist cannot.

HOW DO I GET REIMBURSEMENT?
Request a Medical Reimbursement Form (see your Medical Expense Benefit Schedule for phone and address).  We also suggest reporting all medical problems (large and small) which you may encounter while abroad to the Emergency Hotline

IS THE INCLUDED INSURANCE “ENOUGH”?
No, you can never have enough insurance.  The included insurance is worldwide secondary supplemental insurance.  It is worldwide in that it may cover you anywhere in the world outside your country of origin. It is secondary in that it will only pay for covered items which are not included in your primary insurance.  And it is supplemental in that many items covered by this insurance are not covered by your primary insurance.  For example, your primary insurance may not provide 24:7 assistance, multilingual assistance, legal referral worldwide, medical professional referral worldwide, medical evacuation worldwide, or reimbursement for medical expenses incurred worldwide.

WHY DOES ACADEMICS ABROAD GROUP INCLUDE INSURANCE?
The goal is to provide insurance which historically meets the needs of 99% of the students thus offer expanded health and welfare support systems while maintaining affordable costs for all.  Problems can always arise and it is best to be prepared.

HOW DANGEROUS IS IT TO TRAVEL?
Similar problems exist here and there.  The biggest hazard (here and there) evolves motor vehicles, either as an occupant or a pedestrian.  Next comes activity-related accidents (swimming, biking, jogging etc).  Sickness is third but most illnesses are treated in a matter of days.  For information related to health and safety, see http://www.cdc.gov/travel and http://travel.state.gov

WHAT IF I DO NOT WANT INSURANCE?
To obtain the best insurance value for Academics Abroad courses, the coverage is uniform - all participants of all ages have the same basic medical-accident-med-i-vac insurance and hotline access.  As a result, there is no prorata refund if a student does not want basic insurance. 

WHAT ABOUT NON-STUDENT ACCOMPANYING FAMILY MEMBERS?
Basic insurance is included for everyone pre-paying for costs abroad - which may include an Academics Abroad course or lodging for a non-student.

HOW GOOD IS MEDICAL CARE ABROAD?
In general, medical care here and abroad is better in larger cities which have more medical professionals and labs. However, treatment options, delivery times, and availability of certain medications and diagnostic equipment may be quite different.  In most countries, there are two levels of care - the national health system and the private system.   Students taking Academics Abroad courses tend to use the private system where available since national health systems are often overburdened.  The school staff has medical providers who they use personally and recommend - as do homestay hosts.  For emergencies after school, you will also have local phone numbers for staff and/or lodging providers - and the 24 Hour Emergency Assistance Hotline number in the USA which you may call collect any time.  If a problem occurs, report it to the Hotline and retain receipts for reimbursement.

DO STUDENTS GET TREATMENT HERE OR THERE?
Many students receive satisfactory routine medical care abroad for colds, blisters, toothache or infections. 
A few students have significant problems and elect to have them treated abroad. 
For example, a student had an infected appendicitis abroad and since she did not have health insurance back home, elected to have her appendectomy in Mexico.  She was back in school in a week and costs were covered by the insurance.
Others receive initial care abroad and follow-up care at home. 
A student was biking in the Andes and missed a turn.  She was medically evacuated to Quito where her condition was stabilized - and then flew back home.  (Yes, she is fine.  She happened to be a physician and was happy with her care in Quito.) In coordinating learning programs for about 80,000 people over 40 years, it appears to us that the rate of medical problems is about the same here and there.

WHAT ABOUT MY OTHER INSURANCE?
It is a good idea to periodically review your insurance needs with your agent.  Generally, “normal” insurance which you have at home will cover many of your travel needs - but there may be exceptions and exclusions.  For example, most homeowners and renters policies cover personal possessions while traveling which may eliminate the need for you to get baggage insurance.  Check with your agent.

Problems seldom occur - but when they do, it is good to know that you have adequate insurance and communications options to facilitate a successful outcome.  Have a healthy and rewarding multi-cultural learning experience.