Preparing for traveling internationally should begin far ahead of your actual departure. These preparations must include how you will stay healthy and safe in places that will have different health care systems and where your personal insurance may not provide coverage.
Gettysburg College requires all campus community members traveling abroad for college business to have medical evacuation and repatriation insurance coverage. Gettysburg offers a Global Medical Insurance policy that has medical evacuation and repatriation and international health insurance through CHUBB, International SOS, and additional benefits that are essential to international travelers.
To receive this insurance coverage, you, or a delegate, must complete the Medical Evacuation and Repatriation Insurance Form. Students studying on global study semester programs are automatically enrolled in this insurance. Further explanation about this insurance and the coverage provided by the college are below.
Global Medical Insurance
The vast majority of U.S. health insurance programs do not include medical evacuation and repatriation coverage, which is an additional concern for any travel abroad. Medical evacuation insurance pays for the additional costs associated with moving patients from one city to another, or one country to another for medical treatment. Repatriation insurance pays the cost of returning someone’s remains to the U.S. if they die overseas. These activities are coordinated through the insurance provider. While discussions of this kind are not easy, they are clearly important.
It is required for all campus members to have medical evacuation and repatriation coverage while abroad. Students studying on global study programs sponsored by Gettysburg College are automatically enrolled in the Gettysburg's Global Medical insurance plan underwritten by Chubb. A summary of the benefits can be viewed here. Information about the Gettysburg Global Medical Insurance is sent to each student and the cost of the insurance is automatically billed directly to each student’s account as part of the Global Study Fee.
Campus members traveling for college business for any purpose other than a global study semester must complete the Medical Evacuation and Repatriation Insurance Form prior to their departure to receive this insurance coverage. This is a requirement of the college.
Please contact Gettysburg College Human Resources at 717-337-6069 if you have any questions about this insurance.
Health insurance
It is very important that you have health insurance that covers you adequately while you are abroad. Some students may be currently covered by an insurance policy that will cover them abroad, but there is information specific to utilizing that insurance that you should know in advance. Please note that you may be responsible for the cost of a medical service if it is not covered by the Global Medical Insurance plan or your primary health insurance plan. Some insurance plans do not cover overseas travelers at all. In all cases, you should determine exactly what you need to do to use your insurance while you are abroad whether you are planning to use health insurance of your own or from Gettysburg College, or a policy provided by your global study program provider.
Some global study programs provide health insurance as part of the program fee. Gettysburg’s Global Medical Insurance also includes healthcare coverage. Please read the information from your Program Provider, the insurance policy below, and your personal health insurance to ensure that you have health insurance coverage with which you are comfortable.
Global Medical Insurance Policy Information
Gettysburg’s Global Medical Insurance includes coverage for medical evacuation and repatriation, international health insurance, support through International SOS, and other benefits. To receive this coverage, you must complete the Medical Evacuation and Repatriation Insurance Form or be studying on an approved global study program.
Summary of Benefits for International Student Travel (PDF)
We are pleased to inform you that Gettysburg College funds the International SOS travel assistance program for all students enrolled in the Gettysburg Global medical plan. Please note that some treatments and services not covered by the Global Medical plan are the responsibility of the traveler.
If you have any questions related to health issues, advice before your trip, safety or security advice, International SOS is there to assist you 24/7. Take a few minutes to read over the information about their support services.
International SOS Program (PDF)
https://www.internationalsos.com/ (you will need the membership number to access some of the members-only content.)