Many health insurance plans, especially HMOs, do not provide for coverage outside of the U.S. except for emergencies. If you have a policy that covers only emergencies outside of the U.S. and happen to get sick with strep throat, bronchitis, or any other "non-emergency" illness, your health insurance policy will not cover the cost of care.
Also, most traditional health insurance plans do not include coverage for repatriation and evacuation. In the unfortunate case of an accident, political crisis, or other emergency, repatriation and evacuation coverage can pay for your return to the U.S. Ask your insurance provider and/or any company you contact about health insurance if such coverage is included in the policy.
The following companies offer health insurance plans that are valid for international travel and can be purchased for short-term stays (some also provide repatriation and evacuation insurance):
T.W. Lord Associates
International Benefits Division
P.O. Box 30061
Marietta, Georgia 30061
Phone: (770) 427-2461
Cultural Insurance Services International
102 Greenwich Ave.
Greenwich, CT 06830
Phone: (203) 863-6135
Health Care Global
P.O. Box 480
Middleburg, Virginia 22117-0480
Phone: (800) 237-6615
Hinchcliff International
11 Ascot Place
Ithaca, NY 14850
Phone: (607) 257-0100
International SOS Assistance
P.O. Box 11568
Philadelphia, PA 19116
Phone: 1-800-523-8662
CMI Insurance Specialists
2324 W. Joppa Rd., Ste. 630
Lutherville, MD 21093
Phone: (410) 583-2595
Also, STA Travel offers a minimal insurance plan in conjunction with its International Student Identity Card (ISIC). When you purchase ISIC, you are automatically provided with some health insurance as well as repatriation and emergency evacuation coverage.
Students may contact the companies listed above or other companies for detailed information on insurance plans. Students may also obtain brochures containing information on some of the health insurance plans listed above in the Office of International Education.