International SOS (ISOS): Medical and Travel Security Assistance
The well-being of campus community members is Gettysburg’s top priority. To help prepare and support campus members who travel internationally, Gettysburg College works with International SOS (ISOS). ISOS provides health and safety information, emergency assistance, and other services for all students, staff, and faculty traveling internationally on college business who are covered by Gettysburg's Global Insurance. International SOS is the world's largest medical and security assistance company, with more than 6,500 professionals in 24-hour Assistance Centers, international clinics, and remote-site medical facilities across five continents. These services range from telephone advice and medical referrals, to full-scale medical evacuation by air ambulance.
Campus members can contact ISOS prior to departure with questions about safety and security in their destination country. In addition, they can contact ISOS with questions regarding traveling with prescription medications or other medical-related travel concerns.
For more information about the services provided by ISOS, please see the Gettysburg ISOS Portal. You will need to log in using the information on the Gettysburg ISOS Card.
How to use ISOS
ISOS is often most useful when making preparations, not after an emergency has occurred. They should also be contacted when an emergency occurs. Utilize ISOS by calling 215-942-8478 or visiting their website with questions such as:
- Whether a prescription is legal in your destination country
- Where you can fill a prescription
- How to find the nearest doctor, therapist, or hospital
- Health, safety, and security information about any country you will visit
- In the case of an emergency
- And many others
Obtaining information before you go will better prepare you for your experience abroad and may help minimize the risk of a more serious incident occurring.
ISOS Services
Campus members who are covered under Gettysburg's Global Insurance are eligible to receive many services from ISOS free-of-charge, including access to a 24/7-network of ISOS specialists, who can help provide health information, security advice, and medical referrals.
Advice and referrals from ISOS are routinely provided free-of-charge. However, utilizing some of the services provided by ISOS may have additional charges. These charges may be covered under Gettysburg's Global Insurance. However, there may be additional fees that are not covered or that may need to be paid out of pocket that will be reimbursed later. Please know that you may not receive these charges until long after treatment.
ISOS is not Health Insurance
Finally, it is important to understand that, although ISOS provides travel advice and medical referrals, International SOS is NOT health insurance. Campus members must be covered by Gettysburg's Global Insurance to receive the support of ISOS. Students studying on approved semester programs abroad will automatically be enrolled in this insurance unless they choose to waive because they have alternative coverage through a program provider. Faculty, staff, and students must complete the Trip Registration form at least three days prior to departure to receive the Global Insurance and ISOS coverage. If you are a Gettysburg College student, staff person, or faculty traveling for college related business, complete this form to receive Gettysburg's Global Insurance.
Download your ISOS card
All students, staff, and faculty who are covered by Gettysburg's Global Insurance should have their ISOS card handy. Download the ISOS card and print out or save to your device. Hard copies can be obtained in either the Center for Global Education or Human Resources. Please note the phone number (215-942-8478) and Gettysburg College's membership number. You can also download the ISOS App to your device. Carry this card with you at all times while abroad, and also leave a copy with a family member.