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China Insurance Advice
The
SAFETI (Safety Abroad First - Educational Travel Information)
Clearinghouse Project, develops and disseminates resources to support
study abroad program development and implementation, emphasizing issues
of health and safety. This is possible using a World Wide Web-based
Clearinghouse format, enhancing collaboration between higher education
institutions, government, and non-governmental organizations. It is
funded through support by FIPSE (the Fund for the Improvement of
Postsecondary Education ) of the US Department of Education. It is a
part of the Center for Global Education.
Medical
Care and Insurance
Important
Links to Remember
•
International Student ID Card
•
U.S. Department of State: Medical Information for Americans Traveling
Abroad
•
International SOS
In
this section, you will find information on how to obtain medical
assistance while you are aboard. As insurance is critical in obtaining
medical assistance while abroad, we will then review different types of
insurance that are available. For international study and travel, there
are various types of insurance which you should consider purchasing
prior to leaving the U.S. These include major medical, emergency
evacuation, repatriation of remains, 24 hour emergency help line, legal
assistance, baggage, accidental death and dismemberment/life, motor
vehicle, and kidnapping and terrorism insurance.
Medical
Care
•
Reviewing Your Medical History and Needs Before Going Abroad: It is a
good idea to have a checkup to know your current medical condition.
Your doctor or nurse can also advise you on what special precautions to
take based on your medical history and where you are studying abroad.
You may need to go to a special travel health clinic to get clear
advice on medical care abroad and what challenges you may face.
•
Special Needs: If you have any special needs, check with the study
abroad administrator to determine how he/she can best help you.
Regulations for accessibility may not be as updated in other countries
as they are in the U.S. Check to determine if accommodations like
wheelchair ramps are provided in all modes of transportation, and to
determine if the housing facilities are equipped to serve people with
special needs.
•
Availability
of Medical Care: The type of
medical care available will vary from country to country. In some
countries it will seem similar to the type of care you find in the U.S.
In others, finding an English speaking doctor or appropriate medical
facility might be difficult. You should ask your program sponsor
whether they can provide advice on available medical care and support
abroad. It is also important to find out about medical care during
group or independent travel.
•
Support Services for Medical
Care: Ask your program staff about their capability to provide you with
medical care assistance. Does this staff speak both the local language
and English? Do they have a list of the best available local medical
facilities? Also, find out if someone in the staff or administration is
trained to handle emergency situations.
Insurance
•
What
Insurance Covers: Know exactly what is and is not covered by your
insurance plan. For example, high-risk sports injuries, dental care,
and optical care are sometimes not covered by basic medical insurance.
Also, if certain pre-existing conditions are excluded, check on the
exact definition of "pre-existing."
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Insurance Provided By
Program Sponsor:Some programs include insurance as part of their
program fee and have pre-planned insurance arrangements for their
participants. Purchasing their insurance may make it easier for the
program staff to assist you while abroad. However, you should still
look closely at the limitations in its coverage. If the program does
not offer insurance, and/or you think the program insurance is not
sufficient you should consider purchasing additional travel/study
abroad insurance.
•
Other
Aspects to Consider: Other aspects to
consider include the financial limits of coverage, whether your
insurance applies during independent travel or vacation, what countries
it includes, whether evacuation and repatriation is included, the
policy’s start and end dates, and whether you will have to pay first
for treatment and be reimbursed later by your insurance company.
Types
of Insurance
•
Major Medical: This type of insurance assures that all or part of your
medical expenses for illness and injury will be paid. As costs vary
from country to country, it is important to have sufficient coverage
for any health care needs you may have while abroad.
•
Emergency
Evacuation: This type of insurance provides support for transportation
from the scene of an accident to the closest appropriate medical care
facility. This could be by ambulance, helicopter, air rescue, or other
form of special transportation. The insurance provider, in conjunction
with an emergency assistance company should work with a local doctor in
deciding where the appropriate medical care can be provided. It may not
cover your return to the United States if the company does not believe
it is necessary.
•
Legal
Assistance/Liability Insurance: If you
encounter legal difficulties abroad, you may need the assistance of a
local attorney. If you are found responsible for damages, liability
insurance may cover those costs. The U.S. Department of State may
assist you in finding an attorney, but they can neither pay attorney
costs nor damages.
•
Lost
Baggage/Property Insurance: Insurance
can be purchased to cover lost baggage and lost or theft of your
baggage abroad.
•
Motor
Vehicle Coverage: Whether you rent a
car, motorcycle, moped, or accompany someone in a personal vehicle, you
should insure that you, the vehicle, and any passengers will be covered
in case of accident or injury. You may need to pay for damage to
someone else's vehicle or the injury of others if you are found
responsible in the case of an accident.
•
Kidnapping and Terrorism Insurance: Insurance is available to provide
for response to kidnapping or terrorism.
•
Repatriation of Remains: In the event of your death, this type of
insurance will provide means for the return of your remains to the
United States.
•
Accidental
Death and Dismemberment/Life
Insurance: In the case of loss of limbs or death, this coverage
provides funding to compensate you or your beneficiary. Students with a
spouse or dependents may want to consider purchasing a comprehensive
life insurance policy.
Insurance Policy Components
•
Pre-Existing Conditions: Some insurance will specifically limit
coverage for medical conditions existing prior to the beginning of
coverage.
•
High Risk
Activities: Some insurance will
specifically exclude coverage for high risk activities like contact
sports, skiing, mountain climbing, etc.
•
Continuing Coverage in
the United States: Many international insurance plans do not cover
continued care in the U.S., or if they do, the amount of coverage is
limited. You may want to continue your Major Medical coverage in the
U.S. while abroad in case you need to come home for medical care.
•
Special Areas: Some insurance will limit coverage for accidents
involving alcohol and drug related activities.
•
Advance Payment vs. Reimbursement: It is important to know whether your
insurance company will pay when services are provided. Many travel
insurance policies require you to obtain approval before treatment,
then pay in advance and then submit a claim for later reimbursement of
medical expenses.
•
24-hour
Emergency Assistance/Help Line:
This type of service can be limited to a simple phone response system,
or provide you with comprehensive emergency assistance for evacuation,
legal aid, translation services, and other support around the world.
•
Family Emergencies: Some policies may offer coverage for family
emergencies, illness or death. The costs of emergency bereavement
flights back home may be covered, as well as a refund in the event you
cannot complete your program.
•
Airline/Program Bankruptcy: Find
out if your policy covers the possibility of airline or program
bankruptcy, and if you are entitled to a refund if such an event occurs.
http://www.globaled.us/safeti/newsletter.html
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